[1]For guidance on preventing and dealing with incidents see the Pan-Dorset Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures [2]
Writing an E-Safety Policy
If you are looking to write an e-safety policy for your organisation you can find lots of help and advice on the South West Grid for Learning website [3].
E-Safety Audit
If you are in a school, consider using the South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) 360 degree safe [4] which helps schools identify what stage they are with e-safety, where to focus and source resources for help with the next steps.
If you are in an organisation other than a school, consider using the South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Online Compass [5] which helps organisations identify what stage they are with e-safety, where to focus and source resources for help with the next steps.
These tools are free and will help you provide evidence of your good practice and identify area for improvement.
Reporting Incidents involving the use of technology
You should pursue appropriate lines of intervention and protection following any incident. This may involve contacting the Police and/or social care. See the Pan-Dorset Multi Agency Safeguarding Procedures for more information.
The Dorset Safe Schools and Communities Team (SSCT) operates the Dorset Police Triage service with the aim of responding more effectively to school and youth internet incidents. Reports to the police relating to youth internet safety incidents will be referred to the SSCT to manage. The types of incidents that may be dealt with via this route include: Bullying (including low-level school assaults), experimental sexting, other E-Safety incidents involving only young people and that are not of a serious nature. The aim of this initiative is to support young people, parents, carers and their schools to deal with these incidents appropriately, proportionately and effectively.
Schools may refer these types of incidents directly to the SSCT on 01202 222844 or ssct@dorset.pnn.police.uk [6]. Other organisations should refer any concerns to the MASH (Safeguarding Referral Unit) for Dorset Police on 01202 22229.
Anti-Bullying
Children and young people in Dorset should feel safe from bullying and feel confident that adults will listen to them and address all incidents of bullying effectively and sensibly.
An organisation that is effectively tackling bullying will be:
- a creative healthy system that actively values difference
- a setting that supports children / young people who have been bullied
- a setting that recognises that a key anxiety for parent / carers is the safety of their child / young person.
Guidance and Procedures
A number of guidance documents are available to people working with children advising on how to deal with bullying both in and out of school along with e-safety.
The BCP Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Anti-Bullying Procedure is available in the Pan-Dorset Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures [7].
Training
You can access multi-agency online safety training through the Training Team [8]
Current course availability:
- 15 January 2020 – CEOP – Think U Know Online Safety Training
- 28 April 2020 – Annual Online E-Safety Champions Update (aimed at Schools)
Links
There are also a number of websites you can access to find specific information relating to bullying and e-safety:
- Dorset Police [9]
- Online Safety Newsletters for Parents and Professionals [9]
- Anti-Bullying Alliance [10]
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre [11]
- Think U Know [12]
The Professionals Online Safety Helpline
This is available for any professionals working with young people for support and assistance in dealing with internet safety incidents involving young people, staff or volunteers.
Tel: 0844 381 4772