Online Safety and Acceptable Use Policy
Manor Farm Experiences and Learning Barn on Manor Farm
Purpose and scope
We aim to protect children, young people, staff and families from harm connected with internet use, digital communication, images and electronic devices. This policy applies to employees, volunteers, contractors, work experience participants, learners and visitors when using Manor Farm equipment, accounts, networks or devices during activities.
Responsibilities
Caroline Thomas is responsible for implementing this policy. Antonia Stewart, Designated Safeguarding Lead, leads on online safeguarding concerns. All adults must model safe use of technology, follow this policy and report concerns promptly.
Use of devices and internet
Children may use internet-connected devices only where the activity has been approved, is age and needs appropriate, and is supervised. Staff must use approved accounts and services. Do not give a child unsupervised access to a personal device, social media account or unrestricted internet connection. Where filtering or monitoring is available, it must be enabled and used appropriately.
Acceptable use
Users must not access, create, share or store material that is illegal, abusive, discriminatory, sexual or otherwise harmful. Do not attempt to bypass security, filtering or monitoring, share passwords, install unauthorised software, or use another person’s account. Children must not be photographed or recorded except for an approved purpose with the required permission. Images and personal information must be stored securely and never posted to personal accounts.
Staff communication and social media
Staff must communicate with children and families through authorised professional channels. Personal social media accounts, private messaging and personal email must not be used to contact a child. Staff must not publish information or images that identify a child or disclose confidential information. The Staff Code of Conduct applies to all digital communication.
Staff should use appropriate judgement when posting, commenting or sharing material on personal social media, including outside working hours. Personal accounts should be set to private wherever possible, with privacy settings reviewed regularly. Parents, carers and other members of the public may search for staff profiles and may see public posts, profile photographs, comments or material shared by others; even private content can be copied or shared. Staff should maintain professional boundaries online, consider how public content may affect trust in their role, and avoid identifying children, families or confidential work matters. This does not restrict lawful safeguarding disclosures or whistleblowing through appropriate channels.
Online concerns and incidents
Report suspected online abuse, harmful content, unwanted contact, cyberbullying, image sharing, data loss or misuse of a device immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Preserve relevant information where safe, but do not forward illegal images, investigate, or question a child repeatedly. The safeguarding lead will assess the concern, record it and refer it to the appropriate authority where necessary. Technical incidents must also be reported to the policy owner so access can be secured and the incident managed.
Review
This policy is reviewed annually and after a significant online safety incident or change in technology or guidance. Staff and volunteers receive the policy at induction and are reminded of their responsibilities regularly.
