Online Safety

Safeguarding children and young people while they enjoy and develop their relationship with technology is important to us. All of us need to be mindful of both the benefits and issues that arise from the fast paced development of technology within our society.

In this section we have collected resources and information from the network of specialists in this field at regional and national level.

SEGfL participates in the NEN Safeguarding Group. This group works collectively on all matters related to Online Safety for schools and helps disseminate good practice and safeguarding trends down to local level through our local authorities. SWGfL lead this group and are one of the key organisations in supporting schools in Online Safety in the UK and internationally.

National Online Safety Guidance

Teaching online safety in schools This DfE document was launched in June 2019 to help schools teach online safety when pupils are studying existing and new subjects.

“Education for a Connected World Framework” The UKCCIS framework describes the digital knowledge and skills that children and young people should have the opportunity to develop at different ages and stages of their lives.

Digital Resilience Framework A framework and tool for organisations, policymakers, schools and companies to use to embed digital resilience thinking into products, education and services.

Online safety in schools and colleges- Questions for the Governing Board Questions to help governing bodies support their school leaders to keep children safe online.

Using external visitors to support online education  Draft document to help educational settings ensure that online safety education sessions delivered by external visitors are effective.

Sexting in schools and colleges: responding to incidents and safeguarding young people which aims to support DSLs in tackling the range of issues which these incidents present. The document includes responding to disclosures, handling devices and imagery, risk assessing situations, involving other agencies and reporting imagery to providers. It also contains information about preventative education and advice regarding working with parents.

New- Overview of Sexting Guidance that DSLs may find useful to share with others in their setting.

Inclusive Digital Advice for parents, careers and professionals

Project Evolve Toolkit* new for 2021  ProjectEVOLVE resources each of the 330 statements from UK Council for Internet Safety’s (UKCIS) framework “Education for a Connected World” with perspectives; research; activities; outcomes; supporting resources and professional development materials. An assessment feature is coming soon.

The Government has developed a comprehensive site called Educate.Against.Hate to provide advice and resources around Prevent and schools. Support is given for teachers, parents and school leaders.

DfE “Keeping Children Safe in Education “

The revised version of KCSIE has been published and will come into force 1st September 22. It can be viewed here

The Education People at Kent County Council have documented the changes and requirements with regard to online safety and they can be found here

Our colleagues at LGfL run some excellent safeguarding webinars that are recorded and can be viewed at anytime. Topics covered: Online safety for governors, engaging parents in online safety, fake news and critical thinking, gangs and serious youth violence and more. You can watch them here

Keep on top of events and activities by downloading the 2021/22 Online Safety calendar for schools, designed by SWGfL and the UK Safer Internet Centre

SWGfL Report Harmful Content
RHC Reports can be made 24/7 through the online reporting forms and helpline practitioners will review and respond to reports  within 72 hours between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

Reports can be made to RHC by anyone over the age of 13. .