Passwords should not be shared. Where children have their own passwords there should be the option to reset if lost or forgotten. Computers and laptops should be set to ‘time-out’ the current user session if they become idle for an identified period. All ICT users must ‘log-out’ of their accounts if they need to leave a computer unattended. If ICT users become aware that password security has been compromised or has been shared, either intentionally or unintentionally, the concern must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Internet Access Internet access for all ICT users should be managed and moderated in order to protect them from deliberate or unintentional misuse. Every reasonable precaution should be taken to ensure the safe use of the internet. It has to be acknowledged however, that it will be impossible to safeguard against every eventuality. The following control measures should be put in place where appropriate to manage internet access and minimise risk: Secure broadband or wireless access A secure, filtered, managed internet service provider and / or learning platform Secure email accounts Regularly monitored and updated virus protection A secure password system An agreed list of assigned authorised users with controlled access Clear Acceptable Use Policy and Agreements Effective audit, monitoring and review procedures Online activity should be monitored to ensure access is given to appropriate materials only. Computers and gaming devices should be sited in areas of high visibility which will enable children, young people and adults to be closely supervised and their
online use to be appropriately monitored. If a child or young person accidentally accesses inappropriate material, it must be reported to an adult immediately. Appropriate action should be taken to hide or minimise the window. The computer should not be switched off, nor the page closed, in order to allow investigations to take place. All such incidents must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead; who must ensure a report of the incident is made and that any further actions deemed necessary are taken. All early years practitioners and their managers should be made aware of the risks of connecting personal mobile devices to ICT systems. Such use will be subject to explicit authorisation by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and will be stringently monitored. Should it be necessary, the download of files or programmes to any system should be effectively managed and monitored. All users are responsible for reporting any concerns encountered using online technologies to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Online communications All official online communications should occur where possible through secure filtered email accounts. Settings should be aware that free, email services are not considered secure for personal data and their use could put the setting at risk. All email correspondence should be subject to scrutiny and monitoring. All ICT are expected to write online communications in a polite, respectful and non-abusive manner. The appropriate use of emoticons should be encouraged. It is strongly recommended that, where possible a filtered server is used to monitor and prevent offensive material or spam. If, on rare occasions, security systems are not related based
able to identify and remove such materials, the incident should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. Communication between adults and between children / young people and adults, by whatever method, should take place within clear and explicit boundaries. This includes the wider use of technology such as mobile phones, text messaging, social networks, e-mails, digital cameras, videos, web-cams, websites and blogs. When using digital communications, staff and volunteers should: only make contact with children and young people for professional reasons, and in accordance with the policies and professional guidance of the group Not share any personal information with a child or young person e.g. should not give their personal contact details to children and young people including e-mail, home or mobile telephone numbers Not request, or respond to, any personal information from the child / young person, other than that which might be appropriate as part of their professional role, or if the child is at immediate risk of harm Be aware of and use the appropriate reporting routes available to them if they suspect any of their personal details have been compromised Ensure that all communications are transparent and open to scrutiny Be careful in communications with children so as to avoid any possible misinterpretation Ensure that if they have a personal social networking profile, details are not shared with children and young people in their care (making every effort to keep personal and professional online lives separate) Not post information online that could bring the group into disrepute
Be aware of the sanctions that may be applied for breaches of policy to professional conduct Only use (wherever possible) official equipment or systems to communicate with young persons All ICT users are advised not to open emails where they do not know the sender or where the format looks suspicious. Children and young people should be enabled to use online technologies as relevant to their age and development. Access to online communications should always be monitored by a supervising adult. Managing mobile and emerging technologies Emerging technologies should be valued for the learning and development opportunities they provide for children and young people; including a move towards personalised learning and one to one device ownership. Many existing technologies such as portable media players, gaming devices, and mobile phones will already be familiar to many children and young people. Many of these devices will be equipped with internet access, GPS, cameras, video and audio recording functions. They should therefore be considered subject to the same risks as any other form of technology. Effective control measures should therefore be put in place to minimise such risk whilst maximising the opportunities for young people to access such resources. Access to a range of websites should be enabled, but children and young people should be encouraged to be cautious about any information given to them by other users on such sites, and must recognise that not everyone is who they say they are. Access to social networking sites should be carefully managed within the early years setting, and children and young people will only be permitted to use moderated child-focused
sites under supervision. Early years practitioners and their managers are not permitted to use technologies for personal access to social networking sites. All ICT users should be encouraged to think carefully about the way information can be added and removed from websites by themselves and others. Moderated sites can afford maximum protection. Children and young people should be taught to think carefully before placing images of themselves online and to be aware of details within images, such as badges, which could reveal personal and background information. Users should consider the risks of posting images online owing to the permanency of online material. Children and young people must always be reminded not to give out or post personal details online, particularly information which could identify them or provide information that would contribute to their personal profile. Children and young people should be educated on how to set and maintain web profiles to appropriate privacy levels and how to deny access to unknown individuals. Children and young people, parents and carers should know that the use of social networking sites in the home or social environment is an exciting communication and networking tool. It must also be emphasised however that their use can pose potential risks. Children and young people, parents and carers should therefore be made aware of those risks, and the control measures that can be implemented to minimise them. Early years practitioners and their managers are also likely to use social networking sites in their recreational time on their own personal computers. This form of activity is not to be discouraged, however early years practitioners must agree and adhere to a ‘professional conduct agreement’. The use of such sites should not compromise professional integrity or