Applies to: Liberty in the Wild Ltd Alternative Provision and any future registered Independent Specialist School provision operated by the company 

Proprietor: Liberty in the Wild Ltd (Directors) 

Review Frequency: Annual or sooner if statutory guidance changes 

Liberty in the Wild recognises that online safety is an essential part of safeguarding and acknowledges its duty to ensure that all pupils, staff and families are protected from potential online harms.

This policy should be read alongside the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, Mobile Phone Policy, Acceptable Use Policy and relevant safeguarding procedures.

The e-safety role forms part of the responsibilities of the Directors.

This policy has been written by Liberty in the Wild, building upon Local Authority guidance, Department for Education (DfE) guidance and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

The policy and its implementation will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required due to changes in legislation, guidance, technology or safeguarding concerns.

The safety and wellbeing of children and staff remains paramount at all times.

Why use the Internet and what are the benefits?

The purpose of Internet use at Liberty in the Wild is to raise educational standards, promote pupil achievement, support the professional work of staff and enhance the management functions of the provision.

Internet access is an important part of learning at Liberty in the Wild and is provided in line with safeguarding expectations, acceptable use agreements and individual risk assessments where appropriate.

The Internet is an essential element of modern life for education, business and social interaction. Liberty in the Wild has a duty to provide pupils with quality Internet access as part of their educational experience whilst ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place.

Pupils use the Internet widely outside of the provision and therefore need support to evaluate online information critically and learn how to keep themselves safe online.

Benefits of Internet use include:

• access to worldwide educational resources, museums, galleries and experts
• educational and cultural exchanges
• access to online learning opportunities
• professional development for staff
• collaboration with other professionals and services
• improved access to curriculum materials and educational support
• remote learning opportunities where appropriate
• communication and administration systems to support effective provision delivery

Safeguarding and Online Safety

Liberty in the Wild recognises that online safety is a safeguarding issue and will be managed in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

The provision recognises that technology can expose children and young people to risks including:

• cyberbullying
• child-on-child abuse
• online exploitation
• grooming
• radicalisation
• exposure to harmful or inappropriate content
• online scams and phishing
• gaming and livestreaming risks
• inappropriate online relationships
• sharing of nude or semi-nude images

Pupils will receive age-appropriate online safety education through the wider curriculum, including PSHE, computing and pastoral support.

Pupils

Rules for Internet access will be displayed in areas where technology is used.

Pupils will be informed that Internet use may be monitored.

An online safety programme will be delivered to pupils to raise awareness of safe and responsible Internet use and electronic communication.

Pupils will be taught:

• how to stay safe online
• how to report concerns
• how to evaluate online information critically
• how to protect personal information
• how to communicate respectfully online
• how to recognise online risks and harmful behaviour

Instruction in responsible and safe use will precede Internet access and be reinforced regularly.

Staff

All staff will receive a copy of the E-Safety Policy and understand its importance.

Staff are aware that Internet activity and use of ICT systems may be monitored and traced to individual users. Professional conduct and discretion are essential at all times.

Staff managing filtering systems or monitoring ICT use will be supervised appropriately and follow clear reporting procedures.

Staff will receive regular online safety, cyber-security and safeguarding training as part of induction and ongoing professional development.

Staff must maintain professional boundaries at all times when using technology and online communication platforms.

Staff must not:

• communicate with pupils through personal social media accounts
• add pupils as friends or contacts on personal social networking platforms
• use private messaging applications to contact pupils
• share personal telephone numbers with pupils unless authorised as part of safeguarding or operational procedures

All communication with pupils must take place through approved professional systems and in accordance with safeguarding procedures.

Any concerns regarding online conduct or communication must be reported immediately to the Directors.

Parents and Carers

Parents’ and carers’ attention will be drawn to the E-Safety Policy through the website, policies and communications where appropriate.

Internet-related concerns will be handled sensitively to support families without causing unnecessary alarm.

A partnership approach with parents and carers will be encouraged to support safe Internet use both within and beyond the provision.

Internet Access

Liberty in the Wild will maintain a current record of all staff and pupils granted Internet access.

All users must read, sign and follow the Acceptable Use Policy before using provision ICT resources.

Parents and carers will be informed that pupils may receive supervised Internet access.

Pupils and staff will be aware that misuse of computer systems or Internet access may constitute a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Methods to identify, assess and minimise online risks will be reviewed regularly.

The Directors will ensure that this policy is implemented and monitored appropriately.

Evaluating Internet Content

Liberty in the Wild will ensure that the copying and use of Internet-derived materials complies with copyright law.

If unsuitable material or websites are identified, the URL, date, time and nature of the content must be reported immediately to the Directors.

Pupils will be taught to evaluate online information critically and validate information before accepting it as accurate.

Pupils will also be taught to acknowledge sources of information and respect copyright laws.

Publishing Images of Staff and Pupils

Images published by Liberty in the Wild will be selected carefully and used appropriately.

Photographs used publicly will not unnecessarily identify individual pupils.

Pupils’ full names will not be used alongside photographs.

Written parental consent will be obtained before publishing photographs of pupils.

Pupils’ work will only be published with appropriate permission.

Images of staff will not be published without consent.

Managing Social Networking

Access to social networking sites may be restricted unless approved for educational purposes.

Pupils will be advised never to share personal information online, including:

• full names
• addresses
• telephone numbers
• email addresses
• school details
• personal photographs
• location information

Pupils will receive guidance regarding privacy settings, password security and safe online communication.

Staff must not communicate with pupils through personal social networking sites or accounts.

Liberty in the Wild recognises that bullying may occur through social networking platforms and online communication. Any incidents of cyberbullying will be managed in line with the Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies.

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

Emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI platforms, livestreaming applications and new social media platforms will be risk assessed before being used within Liberty in the Wild.

Staff and pupils must not use AI tools or online platforms to generate, access or share harmful, abusive, explicit, discriminatory or misleading content.

Liberty in the Wild will regularly review new technologies to ensure their educational use is appropriate, safe and in line with safeguarding expectations.

Managing Filtering and Monitoring

Liberty in the Wild recognises its responsibility to ensure appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place in accordance with Department for Education filtering and monitoring standards.

Filtering and monitoring systems will be regularly reviewed by the Directors to ensure they remain effective, proportionate and appropriate for the age and needs of pupils.

If unsuitable material or websites are identified, this must be reported immediately to a senior member of staff.

Any material believed to be illegal or presenting a safeguarding risk will be reported to appropriate agencies, including CEOP Education and the National Crime Agency where necessary.

Managing Email

Pupils may only use approved email accounts provided or authorised by Liberty in the Wild.

Pupils must inform a member of staff immediately if they receive offensive, upsetting or inappropriate emails.

Pupils must not share personal information through email communication or arrange to meet individuals contacted online.

Group or supervised email accounts will be used where appropriate.

Access to personal external email accounts may be restricted.

Emails sent externally on behalf of Liberty in the Wild must be written professionally and authorised where appropriate.

The forwarding of chain emails or inappropriate content is prohibited.

Video Conferencing and Remote Learning

Any remote learning, online mentoring or video-based sessions delivered by Liberty in the Wild will:

• use approved platforms and systems
• be professionally conducted
• follow safeguarding and staff conduct expectations
• be risk assessed where appropriate
• involve parental awareness where necessary
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times

Video conferencing sessions involving pupils will always be supervised appropriately.

Parental consent will be obtained where required.

Recorded sessions or materials will be stored securely in line with data protection requirements.

Mobile Phones and Devices

The use of mobile phones and personal devices during sessions will be managed in line with the Mobile Phone Policy and individual pupil risk assessments where appropriate.

The sending of abusive, threatening, inappropriate or discriminatory messages, images or content is strictly prohibited.

Managing Information Services

The security of Liberty in the Wild information systems will be reviewed regularly.

Virus and malware protection systems will be maintained and updated regularly.

Liberty in the Wild will take reasonable steps to protect systems, devices and data from cyber-security threats including phishing, malware, unauthorised access and ransomware attacks.

Portable media and external storage devices must not be used without permission and appropriate virus checking procedures.

Where portable devices contain personal or sensitive information, the data must be encrypted and securely stored.

Protecting Personal Data

Personal data will be recorded, processed, transferred and stored in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

All staff are responsible for ensuring that personal and sensitive information is handled securely and confidentially.

E-Safety Complaints

Formal complaints regarding online safety, Internet misuse or inappropriate online conduct will be managed by the Directors in line with the Complaints Procedure, Safeguarding Policy and Behaviour Policy where appropriate.

Parents, carers and pupils will be informed of relevant procedures and supported to work in partnership with the provision to resolve concerns appropriately.

Sanctions may include:

• restorative discussions
• safeguarding intervention
• temporary or permanent removal of Internet access
• behaviour support measures
• involvement of external agencies where necessary

Community Use of ICT and the Internet

Liberty in the Wild will work with families, professionals and external organisations to promote a shared approach to online safety.

The provision recognises that online issues may occur outside of the setting and will offer appropriate advice and support where required.