E-safety (including all electronic devices with imaging and sharing capabilities)

Online Safety
It is important that children and young people receive consistent messages about the safe use of technology and can recognise and manage the risks posed in both the real and the virtual world. 

Terms such as ‘e-safety’, ‘online’, ‘communication technologies’ and ‘digital technologies’ refer to fixed and mobile technologies that adults and children may encounter, now and in the future, which allow them access to content and communications that could raise issues or pose risks; the issues are:

Content – being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material

Contact – being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users

Conduct – personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm

I.C.T Equipment 

• Tablets are only used by educators for the purposes of observation, assessment, and planning and to take photographs for individual children’s learning journeys. Occasionally, a small group of children will use the tablet with an adult to research something online which relates to their current project and learning.

• Tablets remain on the premises or go home with the Manager and are always stored securely when not in use.

Internet access

·       Children never have unsupervised access to the internet.

·        The setting manager ensures that risk assessments are in place.

·       Only reputable sites with a focus on early learning are used (e.g. CBeebies).

·       Video sharing sites such as YouTube are not accessed in front of the children due to the risk of inappropriate content.

·       Children are taught the following stay safe principles in an age-appropriate way:

-       only go online with a grown up

-       be kind online and keep information about me safely

-       only press buttons on the internet to things I understand

-       tell a grown up if something makes me unhappy on the internet

·       Staff support children’s resilience in relation to issues they may face online, and address issues such as staying safe,
       appropriate friendships, asking for help if unsure, not keeping secrets as part of social and emotional development in
        age-appropriate ways.

·       Staff report any suspicious or offensive material, including material which may incite racism, bullying or discrimination
       to the :

Internet Watch Foundation at www.iwf.org.uk.

The setting manager ensures staff have access to age-appropriate resources to enable them to assist children to use the internet safely. 

Strategies to minimise risk include:

·       Check apps, websites and search results before using them with children.

·       Children in Early Years should always be supervised when accessing the internet.

·       Ensure safety modes and filters are applied - default settings tend not to ensure a high level of privacy or security. But
        remember you still need to supervise children closely.

·       Role model safe behaviour and privacy awareness. Talk to children about safe use, for example ask permission before
         taking a child’s picture even if parental consent has been given.

• Check privacy settings to make sure personal data is not being shared inadvertently or inappropriately. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-children-and-protecting-professionals-in-early-years-settings-online-safety-considerations/safeguarding-children-and-protecting-professionals-in-early-years-settings-online-safety-guidance-for-practitioners

 

Personal mobile phones – staff and visitors (includes internet enabled devices) 

·       Personal mobile phones and internet enabled devices are not used by staff during working hours. This does not include breaks where personal mobiles may be used off the premises or in a safe place e.g., staff room. The setting manager completes a risk assessment for where they can be used safely.

·       Personal mobile phones are switched off and stored in staff bags in the office.

·       In an emergency, personal mobile phones may be used in the privacy of the office with permission.

·       Staff ensure that contact details of the setting are known to family and people who may need to contact them in an
        emergency.

·       Staff do not take their mobile phones on outings.

·       Members of staff do not use personal equipment to take photographs of children.

·       Parents/carers and visitors do not use their mobile phones on the premises. There is an exception if a visitor’s
        company/organisation operates a policy that requires contact with their office periodically throughout the day. Visitors
         are advised of a private space where they can use their mobile.

 

Cameras and videos

·       Members of staff do not bring their own cameras or video recorders to the setting.

• Photographs/recordings of children are only taken for valid reasons, e.g. to record learning and development, or for displays, and are only taken on equipment belonging to the setting. Children are given the opportunity to consent to their photograph being taken, even if parent/carer permissions are in place. 

• Camera and video use is monitored by the setting manager.

·       Where parents/carers request permission to photograph or record their own children at special events, general
         permission is first gained from all parents/carers for their children to be included. Parents are told they do not have a
         right  to photograph or upload photos of anyone else’s children.

·       Photographs/recordings of children are only made if relevant permissions are in place.

·       If photographs are used for publicity, parental consent is gained and safeguarding risks minimised, e.g. children may be
         identified if photographed in a sweatshirt with the name of their setting on it.

 

Cyber Bullying

If staff become aware that a child is the victim of cyber-bullying at home or elsewhere, they discuss this with the parents and refer them to help, such as:

 NSPCC Tel: 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk

ChildLine Tel: 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk

 

Use of social media 

Staff are expected to:

-       understand how to manage their security settings to ensure that their information is only available to people they
        choose to share information with

-       ensure the organisation is not negatively affected by their actions and do not name the setting

-       are aware that comments or photographs online may be accessible to anyone and should use their judgement before
          posting

-       are aware that images, such as those on Snapchat may still be accessed by others and a permanent record of them
         made, for example, by taking a screen shot of the image with a mobile phone

-       observe confidentiality and refrain from discussing any issues relating to work

-       not share information they would not want children, parents or colleagues to view

-       set privacy settings to personal social networking and restrict those who are able to access 

-       not accept service users/children/parents as friends, as it is a breach of professional conduct

-       report any concerns or breaches to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in their setting

-       not engage in personal communication, including on social networking sites, with children and parents with whom they
         act in a professional capacity. There may be occasions when the educator and family are friendly prior to the child
         coming to the setting. In this case information is shared with the manager and a risk assessment and agreement in
        relation to boundaries are agreed.

 

Use/distribution of inappropriate images

Staff are aware that it is an offence to distribute indecent images and that it is an offence to groom children online. In the event of a concern that a colleague is behaving inappropriately, staff advise the DSL who follows procedure for ‘Allegations Against Staff, Volunteers.


 

Key person supervision

Staff, including childminder assistants, taking on the role of key person must have supervision meetings in line with this procedure. 

Structure

·       Supervision meetings are held every Term for Key Persons. 

·       Key Persons are supervised by the setting manager or deputy.

·       Supervision meetings are held in a confidential space suitable for the task.

·       Key Persons should prepare for supervision by having the relevant information to hand.

 

Content

The child focused element of supervision meetings must include discussion about:

-       the development and well-being of the supervisee’s key children and offer staff opportunity to raise concerns in relation

        to any child attending. Safeguarding concerns must always be reported to the designated safeguarding lead (DSL)

        immediately and not delayed until a scheduled supervision meeting

-       reflection on the journey a child is making and potential well-being or safeguarding concerns for the children they have
          key responsibility for

-       promoting the interests of children.

-       coaching to improve professional effectiveness based on a review of observed practice/teaching

-       reviewing plans and agreements from previous supervisions including any identified learning needs for the member of
         staff

·       During supervision staff can discuss any concerns they have about inappropriate behaviour displayed by colleagues
        but must never delay until a scheduled supervision to raise concerns.

·       Staff are reminded of the need to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings which m
           affect their suitability to work with children that have occurred during their employment. New information is referred
         immediately to the Designated Officer/manager.

 

Recording

·       Key person supervision discussions are recorded and retained by the supervisor and a copy provided to the key person.

·       The key person and supervisor must sign and date the minutes of supervision within 4-6 weeks of it happening and

        disagreements over recorded content must be minuted.

·       Each member of staff has a supervision file that is always stored securely.

·       Concerns raised during supervision about an individual child’s welfare may result in safeguarding concerns not

        previously recognised as such, these are recorded on a ‘Safeguarding Incident Reporting Form’ and placed on the

       child's file. The reasons why the concerns have not previously been considered are explored.

·       Additional safeguarding or welfare decisions made in relation to a child during supervision are recorded on the

        individual case file. The supervisor (if not the DSL) should ensure the recording is made and the DSL is notified.

 

Checking continuing suitability

• Supervisors check with staff if there is any new information pertaining to their suitability to work with children. This only needs to be recorded on the supervision meeting record.

·       Regarding the use of agency staff  there is an expectation that as part of the agreement with agencies they have

        sought information regarding their employee’s suitability to work with children.  Managers must review this regularly.

·       The position for students on placement is the same as that for Agency Staff

 

Exceptional Circumstances

Where exceptional circumstances prevent staff from conducting supervision as outlined in this procedure, the manager is informed in writing, a copy placed on the supervision file and the appropriate actions agreed to ensure that the setting meets its obligations within the EYFS.