Online Safety Policy

Online Safety Policy

1. Policy Statement

Skywise Educational Guardianship UK Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in our care. This Online Safety Policy is rooted in statutory guidance including Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024), and is informed by best practice from the NSPCC, CEOP, and Local Safeguarding Partnerships (LSPs). It should be read alongside our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, and Behaviour Codes.

In accordance with AEGIS Standard 6.10, Skywise provides this policy to all staff and homestays, and makes it available to students and parents upon request. A senior staff member is encouraged to undertake additional online safety training and ensure the dissemination of information to relevant parties.

 

2. Key Safeguarding Contact Details

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Ms Zhiying Zheng
07792766329
tina.zheng@skywisegroup.com

 

 

3. Introduction

The digital world presents exciting opportunities for learning and connection, but it also brings a growing number of risks, particularly for young and vulnerable people. Skywise is committed to ensuring that students in our care are supported to use the internet safely, are educated on digital risks, and that our staff and homestays are trained and confident in identifying and responding to online concerns.

The Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE, 2024) guidance highlights that technology is a significant factor in many safeguarding issues, including child sexual and criminal exploitation, radicalisation, sexual predation, grooming, and cyberbullying. As such, online safety is an essential aspect of safeguarding within our organisation.

 

4. Online Safety – Areas of Risk

Online risks are categorised into the following key areas:

●      Content: Exposure to inappropriate, harmful, or illegal material. This includes pornography, violent images, fake news, extremist material, and pro-suicide or eating disorder content. Such exposure may lead to anxiety, confusion, or harmful behaviours.
🔗 UK Safer Internet Centre – Online Content Risk

https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/what-are-the-issues#:~:text=Some%20online%20content%20is%20not,or%20written%20with%20a%20bias.

●      Contact: Interaction with others online that may lead to harm, including grooming, coercion, cyberbullying, unwanted contact from adults or older children, and manipulation through online games or chatrooms.
🔗 NSPCC – Online Grooming

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/grooming/

●      Conduct: Personal behaviour that increases risk, such as sharing personal information, engaging in sexualised behaviour, or bullying others. Children may also face pressure to participate in group chats that promote harmful or inappropriate activities.
🔗 Thinkuknow – Online Conduct

https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/professionals/guidance/thinkuknow-parents-and-carers/

●      Commerce: Exposure to risks such as online scams, phishing, and age-inappropriate commercial advertising, especially on social media or gaming platforms.

 

5. Sexting and the Sharing of Nude/Semi-Nude Images

Also known as “youth-produced sexual imagery”, sexting refers to the sending or receiving of sexually explicit messages, images or videos via digital devices or online platforms. Even where consensual, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to take, possess, or distribute indecent images of themselves or others.

Under the Protection of Children Act 1978 and the Serious Crime Act 2015, this may be treated as a criminal offence. Schools and guardianship organisations must treat such incidents sensitively while ensuring appropriate safeguarding responses.

Relevant guidance:
🔗 UKCIS: Sharing nudes and semi-nudes – Advice for Education Settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sharing-nudes-and-semi-nudes-advice-for-education-settings-working-with-children-and-young-people/sharing-nudes-and-semi-nudes-how-to-respond-to-an-incident-overview

Skywise will:

●      Educate students on the legal and emotional consequences of sexting

●      Support victims and work with schools, police or CEOP where appropriate

●      Never criminalise students unnecessarily and instead prioritise safeguarding

 

6. Training and Responsibilities

Skywise ensures that all stakeholders understand their roles in maintaining a safe online environment:

●      Staff and Guardians receive online safety training as part of induction and annual safeguarding refreshers. They are taught to spot warning signs and follow reporting protocols.

●      Drivers are briefed on child protection, including online risks, during transport.

●      Homestay Providers are given training and access to guidance in the Host Family Handbook. They are supported by Skywise and encouraged to supervise and talk openly with students about their digital activity.

●      Students receive online safety guidance through the Student Handbook, initial guardian meetings, and follow-up check-ins. They are encouraged to talk to trusted adults and follow the rules outlined in our digital behaviour code.

 

7. Expectations and Boundaries

All members of the Skywise community must:

●      Use privacy settings and security controls on personal devices and home Wi-Fi

●      Report any inappropriate messages or behaviour immediately

●      Avoid sharing personal information (e.g. location, school, or contact details)

●      Treat others with respect online and offline

Skywise expects homestays to:

●      Use filters and parental controls provided by internet providers
🔗 UK Safer Internet Centre – Parental Controls

https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/parental-controls

●      Discuss internet access limits and monitor device use

●      Support students in reporting concerns and using digital tools safely

 

8. Recognising the Signs of Online Abuse

Online abuse may present through behavioural or emotional changes. Indicators include:

●      Secrecy about online activity or sudden use of multiple devices

●      Anxiety, low mood, or aggressive behaviour after screen time

●      Withdrawal from friends, school, or social situations

●      Evidence of grooming, such as gifts or new contacts

●      Change in self-esteem, appetite, or sleep patterns

🔗 NSPCC – Recognising Online Abuse

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/online-abuse/

All staff and homestays should be vigilant and report concerns to the DSL.

 

9. Reporting and Procedures

  1. Disclosures may be made in person, by phone, or email.
  2. Staff record using the TED model (Tell, Explain, Describe).

https://www.devon.gov.uk/support-schools-settings/send/areas-of-need/communication-and-interaction/one-minute-guides/supporting-safeguarding-conversations-for-cyp-with-communication-and-interaction-needs-2/#:~:text=The%20TED%20approach%20%E2%80%93%20(Tell%20me,can%20usually%20express%20themselves%20verbally.

  1. Report to the DSL within 24 hours.
  2. DSL convenes a strategy meeting, creates an action plan, and documents all steps.
  3. DSL may:
    • Provide emotional support
    • Refer to police (101/999) or CEOP if illegal activity is suspected
    • Relocate the student if required
    • Collaborate with school or other agencies
  4. Images must not be viewed unless necessary. Follow UKCIS Guidance. Two senior staff should be present.
  5. Students may be asked to delete images; non-compliance may result in police involvement.
  6. Parents are informed unless it increases risk to the child.

 

10. Legislation and Government Guidance Links

●      Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024

●      UKCIS – Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes Guidance

●      Education for a Connected World Framework

●      Preventing and Tackling Bullying (DfE)

●      Serious Crime Act 2015

●      Protection of Children Act 1978

 

11. Useful Resources

●      Thinkuknow (CEOP)

●      Childnet Cyberbullying

●      NSPCC Online Safety

●      Internet Matters

●      UK Safer Internet Centre

 

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or after any major safeguarding incident involving online activity.

 

 

 

 

 

Last Reviewed:  Mrs Katerine Lee 01/03/2025
Next Review Due: 01/03/2026