Providing support and consultancy on

Online Safety 

Training and signposting for Schools, Businesses and

​Professionals. 

(Multi Agencies)

Lockdown, Teachers and online safety

In September 2020 Internet Matters published data from a study carried out with 1,000 teachers across the UK. Interestingly the headlines showed some real concerns (as well as positives) around the use of tech by young people during home use and lockdown (as below). You can find the full release here... https://bit.ly/3hEAZYw   

 Online safety top concern as kids had back to schoolChildren’s online safety is emerging as a top concern in the new school year – as over half (53%) of teachers believe it is now more likely their pupils will experience issues as a result of lockdown.
Stay switched on campaign Our new campaign aims to remind parents to “stay switched on” around issues their children might be facing, including cyberbullying, screentime, peer pressure, online grooming and viewing inappropriate content.
It comes as children spent more time using technology during lockdown – with two thirds (67%) of teachers saying access to tech is now more important for learning than traditional education equipment such as textbooks.
Teachers express worry about children’s digital safety Yet the increased use of devices and smartphones has led to fresh concerns around children’s digital worlds – with six out of 10 (59%) of teachers admitting they are worried about the safety of pupils who have been using the internet more during the pandemic.

So where do beleaguered teachers stand on their need to ensure the online safety of their pupils and the requirement, still continuing, to teach them remotely where necessary with tools that they themselves may not be familiar with?
The study reveals that our teachers have stepped up to the mark in adapting to new teaching tools and methods and we salute their efforts which the statistics reveal have indeed improved and made remote teaching viable and indeed useful for all.   

Where does internet safety stand in this? Given the use of online streaming tools, increase in access to gaming sites and extra screen time, conversations with young people by parents and professionals has become more and more important. The likes of the NSPCC highlight these conversations in their 8 tips for staying safe during lockdown  https://bit.ly/3pR1nBB 
At AE Consultancy we too have had to adapt. Carrying out both parents evenings and staff inset sessions through Zoom has brought about its challenges but, whilst we are in these times they are necessary, and allow us to share professional practice with teachers and practical advice for parents. Teachers please take a moment if you have one to talk to your children about their tech use. Consistently throughout our conversations with children and young people we witness a desire to be able to discuss their online lives honestly with adults, you would be surprised. We look forward to the days when we too will be back in the classroom and able to have face to face and always interesting! conversations with pupils. Until then stay safe.      

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What do Ofsted look for?

Mental health online

On Online safeguarding during an inspection?

What policies do I need?

and where can I find up to date templates?

and how does it affect my students? ​

Online staff indiscretion

Should I be concerned about it?

Independent schools​  - facing broader issues that require tailored, contextual approaches.  

The voice of young people                -

Reflecting conversations with young people back to schools.

“If television's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up.” 
― Dorothy Gambrell, Cat and Girl Volume I
“We refuse to turn off our computers, turn off our phone, log off Facebook, and just sit in silence, because in those moments we might actually have to face up to who we really are.” 
― Jefferson Bethke, 
“Can we go back to using Facebook for what it was originally for - looking up exes to see how fat they got?” 
― Bill Maher

Understanding and tackling Internet issues.  

Understanding the complex issues the Internet has brought to modern society can be daunting in both Professional and personal life. The constant legal changes, media stories, Government requirements and Internet 'scares' can add to already heavy workloads for professionals. There however is plenty of support out there to educate and enable students and staff to understand and deal positively with online safeguarding and mental health issues. AE Consultancy Ltd offers a wide breadth of support through training presentations, tools, policy structures and access to a broad range of (often free) resources. Quality assured through experience and www.aacoss.org   

Training/awareness sessions as described below can be tailored to your needs or that of your organisation. They are based on half day/full day costings. Please feel free to contact us for further detail.  

• Staff awareness
• Parents evenings
• Multi agency - scenario based discussions and support
• Fostering and Adoption Agency support
• Conferences
• Students sessions Yrs 4 and upwards. 
• Tailored sessions to your audience