Child Protection Policy for Online School

Purpose and Scope

This Child Protection Policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in our online educational environment. It applies to all staff, students, and parents involved in our online school.

Key Principles

• The safety and well-being of children is our top priority

• All children have the right to protection from harm, abuse, and exploitation

• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Our school has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who:

• Has overall responsibility for online safety and child protection

• Is trained to understand the unique risks associated with online safety

• Liaises with other staff as appropriate

• Cannot delegate this responsibility

Staff Responsibilities

All staff members must:

• Complete mandatory safeguarding and child protection training, including online safety, at induction and receive regular updates

• Understand their roles in filtering and monitoring systems

• Report any concerns immediately following the school's procedures

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries online

Online Safety Measures

Secure Platforms and Communication

• Use only approved, secure online learning platforms with built-in security features

• Implement encryption, multi-factor authentication, and access controls

• Prohibit the use of personal social media accounts for school communication

Filtering and Monitoring

• Employ appropriate filtering and monitoring systems on school devices and networks

• Regularly review and update online safety protocols

Reporting Concerns

• Clear reporting channels for staff, students, and parents to raise safeguarding concerns

• Immediate action is required for any concerns about a child's welfare

• Confidentiality is maintained with information shared on a need-to-know basis

Education and Training

For Students

• Integrate online safety into the curriculum, including Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

• Teach digital citizenship, ethical use of technology, and recognition of online threats

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For Parents

• Provide resources and workshops on online risks and supporting safe technology use

• Encourage age-appropriate supervision of children during online learning

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Policy Review

This Child Protection Policy will be:

• Reviewed annually

• Updated to reflect changes in legislation or best practices

• Readily available on the school website and in staff handbooks

By implementing this comprehensive Child Protection Policy, our online school aims to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for all students.