Internet Safety

Blue Sky Learning works with children and families as part of its activities.

The purpose of this policy statement is to:

  • ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is paramount
    when adults, young people or children are using the internet, social media or
    mobile devices
  • provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our
    approach to online safety
  • ensure that, as an organisation, we operate in line with our values and within
    the law in terms of how we use online devices.

We believe that:

  • children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
  • children should be able to use the internet for education and personal
    development, but safeguards need to be in place to ensure they are kept safe
    at all times.
    We recognise that:
  • the online world provides everyone with many opportunities; however it can
    also present risks and challenges
  • we have a duty to ensure that all children, young people and adults involved in
    our organisation are protected from potential harm online
  • we have a responsibility to help keep children and young people safe online,
    whether or not they are using [name of organisation]’s network and devices
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and
    other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare and in helping
    young people to be responsible in their approach to online safety
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or
    belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all
    types of harm or abuse.

We seek to keep children and young people
safe by:

  • providing clear and specific directions to staff and volunteers on how to behave
    online through our behaviour code for adults
  • supporting and encouraging the young people using our service to use the
    internet, social media and mobile phones in a way that keeps them safe and
    shows respect for others
  • supporting and encouraging parents and carers to do what they can to keep
    their children safe online
  • developing an online safety agreement for use with young people and their
    parents or carers
  • developing clear and robust procedures to enable us to respond appropriately to
    any incidents of inappropriate online behaviour, whether by an adult or a child
    or young person
  • reviewing and updating the security of our information systems regularly
  • ensuring that user names, logins, email accounts and passwords are used
    effectively
  • ensuring personal information about the adults and children who are involved in
    our organisation is held securely and shared only as appropriate
  • ensuring that images of children, young people and families are used only after
    their written permission has been obtained, and only for the purpose for which
    consent has been given
  • providing supervision, support and training for staff and volunteers about online
    safety
  • examining and risk assessing any social media platforms and new technologies
    before they are used within the organisation.