Carmel Caterpillars Preschool

Carmel Caterpillars Pre-School

Online Safety Policy

Policy Statement

Online safety or E-safety is part of the safeguarding "duty of care" which applies to everyone working with children and young people. It includes education on the safe and responsible use of technology as well as the policies, procedures, risk assessments and infrastructure that is implemented to safeguard the Pre-School community.

Responsibilities regarding online safety

• Safeguarding policies cover the use of mobile phones and cameras within our setting.
• All staff are trained to recognise inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff including inappropriate sharing of images.
• Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL) or Manager is responsible for ensuring communication through our Facebook group and website is appropriate, and in line with the settings safeguarding and General Data Protection Regulations (2018), and reserves the judgement to delete any material deemed inappropriate. 
• Members of staff play an essential role in creating a safe culture. They are also likely to be the first point of contact for online safety incidents or be in a position to identify behaviour changes which could indicate that an individual is at risk of harm. 
• Any staff maintaining Facebook or the website, will always adhere to our online safety guidelines.

Key online responsibilities for parents/carers

Parents and carers play a crucial role in developing children's safe and responsible online behaviours, especially as most of their access to technology occurs off school site. 

Parents and carers have a responsibility to work in partnership with Pre-School to re-enforce online safety messages, and to role model, promote and encourage safe online behaviours, wherever and whenever children use technology. 

Consideration with regards vulnerable children

Children and young people may be considered to be vulnerable for a variety of reasons. These  include children with SEND, and or mental health needs, children in care, children who have experienced trauma or abuse, children with low self-esteem, children who have English as an additional language, children who are considered vulnerable on a temporary basis, due to personal or specific circumstances. 

Vulnerable children will have individual needs that present a range of issues when teaching online safety. Some common difficulties may include:

• Lack of social awareness and understanding
• Naivety or lack of trust
• Transferring skills or concepts
• Unable to verbalise concerns
• Some children may have poor recall and difficulties with learning through experience
• Disrupted or a traumatic childhood
• Poor attachment
• Lack of boundaries
• Poor understanding of risk

Training and engaging staff

All staff are included in online safety training and are able to recognise possible risks and know how to respond. Training is ongoing and all staff are made aware of updates as appropriate. 

A risk assessment should be undertaken on each new technology so that effective and safe practice can be developed. 

Leaders and managers will need to keep up to date with new technologies and be ready to develop appropriate strategies. 

The original of this document was signed on behalf of Carmel caterpillars Pre-School Committee by the current Chairperson