Online safety (inc. mobile phones and cameras)

Policy statement

We take steps to ensure that there are effective procedures in place to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from the unacceptable use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment or exposure to inappropriate materials in the setting.

Procedures

• Our designated person responsible for co-ordinating action taken to protect children is:

Tracey Kemp Preschool Manager (and in her absence Tracey Couldridge, Assistant Manager)

In their absence – Denise Penna or Melissa Thomas (Senior Practitioners)

Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment

• Only ICT equipment belonging to the setting is used by staff and children.
• The designated person is responsible for ensuring all ICT equipment is safe and fit for purpose.
• All computers have virus protection installed.
• The designated person ensures that safety settings are set to ensure that inappropriate material cannot be accessed.

• Children do not normally have access to the internet and never have unsupervised access.
• The designated person has overall responsibility for ensuring that children and young people are safeguarded and risk assessments in relation to online safety are completed.
• Children are taught the following stay safe principles in an age appropriate way prior to using the internet;
• only go on line with a grown up
• be kind on line
• 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 will also seek to build children’s resilience in relation to issues they may face in the online world, and will address issues such as staying safe, having appropriate friendships, asking for help if unsure, not keeping secrets as part of social and emotional development in age appropriate ways.
• If a second hand computer is purchased or donated to the setting, the designated person will ensure that no inappropriate material is stored on it before children use it.
• Children are not allowed to access social networking sites.
• Staff report any suspicious or offensive material, including material which may incite racism, bullying or discrimination to the Internet Watch Foundation at iwf.org.uk.
• Suspicions that an adult is attempting to make inappropriate contact with a child on-line is reported to the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre at ceop.police.uk.
• Staff have access to age-appropriate resources to enable them to assist children to use the internet safely.
• If staff become aware that a child is the victim of cyber-bullying, they discuss this with their parents and refer them to sources of help, such as the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or www.nspcc.org.uk, or Childline on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk.

Email

• Children are not permitted to use email in the setting. Parents and staff are not normally permitted to use setting equipment to access personal emails.
• Staff do not access personal or work email whilst supervising children.

Mobile phones – children

• Children do not bring mobile phones or other ICT devices with them to the setting. If a child is found to have a mobile phone or ICT device with them, this is removed and stored in the office until the parent collects them at the end of the session.
• 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 5000nspcc.org.uk or Child Line Tel: 0800 1111www.childline.org.uk

Mobile phones and smart watches – staff and visitors

• Personal mobile phones are stored in the office and in a locked box. Staff sign in and out phones. Phones are not to be used apart from during lunch breaks or in an emergency.
• During lunch breaks or in an emergency, personal mobile phones must be used in an area where there are no children present.
• Our staff and volunteers ensure that the setting telephone number is known to family and other people who may need to contact them in an emergency.
• Our members of staff take the setting’s mobile phones on walks around the school grounds, or when taking/collecting children to/from school, for use in case of an emergency, they must not make or receive personal calls.
• Parents and visitors are requested not to use their mobile phones whilst on the premises. Visitors will be advised of a quiet space where they can use their mobile phone, where no children are present.
• All smart watches must not be able to take pictures, receive calls or videos. Staff MUST ensure that Bluetooth is disconnected from staff phone. Managers and Senior practitioners must check all new devices worn.

Cameras and videos

• Our staff and volunteers must not bring their personal cameras or video recording equipment into the setting.
• Photographs and recordings of children are only taken for valid reasons i.e. to record their learning and development, or for displays within the setting, with written permission received by parents.
• Where parents request permission to photograph or record their own children at special events, general permission is gained from all parents for their children to be included. Parents are advised that they do not have a right to photograph anyone else’s child or to upload photos of anyone else’s children.
• If photographs of children are used for publicity purposes, parental consent must be given and safeguarding risks minimised, for example, ensuring children cannot be identified by name.
• Parents must give permission for images to be used and these will be gained before any images are used within the Preschool (Consent form for use of images).

Social media

• Staff are advised to manage their personal security settings to ensure that their information is only available to people they choose to share information with.
• Staff should not accept service users, children and parents as friends due to it being a breach of expected professional conduct. Existing friendships should be reported to the manager.
• Staff do not identify the name of the setting they work at on social media. If staff comment on the settings social media pages, they do so in a way that is not detrimental.
• Staff observe confidentiality and refrain from discussing any issues relating to work.
• Staff should not share information they would not want children, parents or colleagues to view.
• Staff should report any concerns or breaches to the designated person in their setting.
• Staff avoid personal communication, including on social networking sites, with the children and parents with whom they act in a professional capacity. If a practitioner and family are friendly prior to the child coming into the setting, this information is shared with the manager prior to a child attending and an agreement in relation to boundaries is agreed.

Electronic learning journals for recording children’s progress

• Staff adhere to the guidance provided with the system at all times.
• Staff only access the electronic Learning Journal on the setting’s devices.
• Parents sign a Tapestry declaration form to give permission to use children photo’s within their child’s learning journal. (See Tapestry agreement form).
• Parents sign Tapestry agreement form to agree do not share publicly or uploaded onto any social media websites.

Use and/or distribution of inappropriate images

• Staff are aware that it is an offence to distribute indecent images. In the event of a concern that a colleague or other person is behaving inappropriately, the Safeguarding Children and Child Protection policy, in relation to allegations against staff and/or responding to suspicions of abuse, is followed
• Staff are aware that grooming children and young people on line is an offence in its own right and concerns about a colleague’s or others’ behaviour are reported (as above).
• 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 5000nspcc.org.uk or ChildLine Tel: 0800 1111www.childline.org.uk

Further guidance

NSPCC and CEOP Keeping Children Safe Online training: www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/get-expert-training/keeping-children-safe-online-course/