eSafety
The Teeswide Safeguarding Children Boards is a partnership between the Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Darlington and Stockton Safeguarding Children Boards, who have worked together to bring a consistent message to all organisations across Tees that work with people, about being aware of the risks of using digital technologies and of having good policies and procedures in place ensuring the online safety of users, while making the most of online opportunities for all.
Teeswide Safeguarding Children Boards eSafety Strategy
Future technologies are developing at speeds far exceeding previous generations. It is now an important and necessary aspect of everyday life. Young people are growing up with this rapidly advancing world, taking risks and exploring the boundaries of these technologies.
The Internet has become an essential life tool for both work and social interaction. This increased online activity brings with it further risks, such as grooming and cyber bullying, which need to be managed.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. This strategy will outline the roles and responsibilities in order to encourage safe and acceptable use, and by putting in place a framework to enable and empower responsible people to recognise and effectively manage the risks of using digital technologies.
Click to download a full introduction to the strategy, and the strategy document
Teeswide Safeguarding Children Boards eSafety Standards
Across Tees the Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB) are to introduce minimum standards of safety for using digital technology, whilst still allowing maximum access to learning, and stressing the importance of using of modern sites such as facebook, twitter, u tube, MSN and the like. These standards will:
· Show why eSafety is important and should involve everyone.
· Helps you to create a safer online environment for the people in your care.
· Provides guidance and resources
· Provides a way of identifying strengths and weaknesses
· Provides a way to move from a basic level of eSafety to best practice
Any organisation turning off a social networking, blogging or video site or by blocking access to such sites will not be supporting the education of children and young people in their safe and proper use. These sites when used safely and properly are extremely useful tools that are regularly used.
Instead, the Tees LSCB's strongly believes that the process of education in their use is preferable to the blocking of them.
Click to download a full introduction to the standards for Hartlepool and the standards document.
HSCB offers training to staff on the risks associated with the digital world. Raising the awareness to the risks and dangers and giving staff the information needed to help protect children and young people.
Please see Learning and Development for more details.
HSBC recommends the distribution of Ashleigh's rules. Ashleigh's Rules are a set of safeguarding tips to keep young people safe when using social networking forums.
To download Ashleigh's Rules, click here