​​​​​​ Handling online safety concerns and incidents

Our staff recognise that online safety is only one element of the wider safeguarding agenda as well as being a curriculum strand of Computing, PSHE/RSHE and Citizenship.

General concerns will be handled in the same way as any other child protection concern.  Early reporting to the DSL/OSL is vital to ensure that the information contributes to the overall picture or highlights what might not yet be a problem.

Support staff will often have a unique insight and opportunity to find out about issues first in the playground, corridors, toilets, and other communal areas outside the classroom (particularly relating to bullying and sexual harassment and violence).

Procedures for dealing with online safety, concerns and incidents are detailed in the following Policies:

• Child Protection Policy and procedures
• Behaviour Policy and procedures (includes anti-bullying procedures)
• Acceptable Use Agreements
• Prevent Risk Assessment
• Data Protection Policy, agreements, and other documentation (e.g. privacy statement, consent forms for data sharing image use etc.)

We are committed to taking all reasonable precautions to ensure online safety but recognise that incidents will occur both inside and outside school.  All members of the school community are encouraged to report issues swiftly to school staff so that they can be dealt with quickly and sensitively through the school’s escalation processes.

Any suspected online risk or infringement should be reported to the DSL/OSL on the same day wherever possible or, if out of school, the following school day

Any concern/allegation about misuse by staff or other adult in school will always be referred directly to the Head teacher unless the concern is about the Head teacher, in which case, the complaint will be directed to the Chair of Governors.  Staff may also use the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline. Call 0800 028 0285 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.

The school will actively seek support from other agencies as needed (i.e. Local Authority Safeguarding Hub, UK Safer Internet Centre’s Professionals’ Online Safety Helpline (03443814772), NCA CEOP, Cumbria Police Prevent Officer, Cumbria Police, Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)). 

We will inform parents of online safety incidents involving their child and the Police where staff or pupils engage in or are subject to behaviour which we consider is particularly disturbing or is considered illegal. 

• In this school there is strict monitoring and application of the Online Safety Policy and a differentiated and appropriate range of sanctions. 
• All members of the school community will be informed about the procedure for reporting online safety concerns (such as breaches of filtering, cyberbullying, illegal content etc.).
• The Online Safety Coordinator will record all reported incidents and actions taken in the School Online Safety incident log and other in any relevant areas e.g. Bullying or Child protection log.
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead will be informed of any online safety incidents involving Child Protection concerns, which will then be escalated appropriately – See Child Protection Policy and procedures for dealing with concerns.
• The school will manage Online Safety incidents in accordance with the school discipline/Behaviour Policy where appropriate.
• The school will inform parents of any incidents or concerns as and when required.
• After any investigations are completed, the school will debrief, identify lessons learnt and implement any changes required.
• Where there is cause for concern or fear that illegal activity has taken place or is taking place then the school will contact the Safeguarding Hub and escalate the concern to the Police.
• If the school is unsure how to proceed with any incidents of concern, then the incident may be escalated to the Safeguarding Hub – see Child Protection Policy and procedures.