It is a common misconception that online safety guidance should be reserved for pupils and teaching staff.
Online safety is for anyone who uses an app, platform, website or digital device during their working day – and we’re willing to bet that almost every member of staff in a school falls into that category.
According to the latest KCSiE guidance, it is the duty of an educational institution to ensure that they take steps to “protect and educate the whole school or college community” on the subject of online safety. In a community that comprises teaching staff, governors, designated safeguarding leads and, of course, parents and carers, it is vital that schools take a varied and role-specific approach when rolling out this information.
At National Online Safety, we see ‘whole school community’ training as not a challenge, but an exciting opportunity for real change. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive package of expertly-informed online safety training materials for every role: saving you precious time and resources as the Autumn term gets underway.
With our annual courses – which have just been newly updated for 2020/21 - you can sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that every member of your educational community is doing their part to keep kids safe online.
Take a look at how we cater our courses by browsing the roles below.
Certificate in Online Safety for Parents & Carers
As the online world evolves, so do both the online risks facing our children and the legislation which guides how schools should meet their online safety requirements.
Online risks do not stop at the school gates. This means that parents and carers have a vital role to play: they are the first line of defence in keeping children safe online. This beginner’s course will introduce parents to the possible risks faced by their children and how to address them.
Certificate in Online Safety for Non-teaching Staff
Safeguarding and online safety is everybody’s responsibility. If non-teaching staff are switched on to the dangers students face online, they can help provide complete support during school hours.
Designed specifically for non-teachers, this level one course is a thorough introduction to the topic of online safety. It demonstrates the crucial role non-teaching staff have to play in recognising, identifying and flagging safety risks.
Certificate in Online Safety for Teaching Staff
All teaching staff have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn. This includes protecting children from online harm and abuse and risks such as CSE, online bullying or online sexual harassment.
This course will introduce teachers to their statutory requirements (as stated by the DfE), how to identify and understand online safety risks for your students, and, above all, how to create a safe online learning environment.
Certificate in Online Safety for School Governors
Governing bodies and proprietors must ensure that policies, procedures and training in their schools or colleges are effective and comply with the law at all times.
Compiled by subject expert Lorna Ponambalum, our Level 2 Certificate in Online Safety provides school governors with the core content they need to ensure adherence with their online safety statutory requirements.
Advanced Certificate in Online Safety for SENDCos
Children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities can face additional safeguarding challenges online. They often experience more online harms than their peers and can be vulnerable to online risks such as cyberbullying, online grooming and exploitation.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinators (SENDCos) play a central role in safeguarding pupils with SEND, and therefore need to take extra steps with their training. This level 3 course will provide clear guidance on the nuances of online safety for SEND students, as well as the steps that can be taken to guide and protect them.
Advanced Certificate in Online Safety for ICT Leads
ICT Leads play a vital role in developing and enhancing children’s learning around online safety. They are central to progressing policy and process and in helping to shape how young people acquire the skills to use ICT effectively, confidently and safely.
Our Level 3 Certificate in Online Safety for ICT Leads provides the core content required to ensure that those who work with and teach ICT adhere to the latest statutory requirements around online safety.
Advanced Certificate in Online Safety for DSLs
Designated Safeguarding Leads (or DSLs) should take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection in schools – this includes online safety.
This Level 3 course will provide DSLs with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role, including the ability to understand the unique risks associated with online safety, and means of rolling out online safety training to the rest of the school.
