Are you ready for the changes to KCSIE?

Have you had a look over Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges - Filtering and monitoring standards for schools and colleges - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)?

When it comes to filtering and monitoring - we always suggest 5 mantras to stick by:

- Efficiently manage filtering and monitoring systems with defined roles and responsibilities.

- Regularly review filtering and monitoring provisions to ensure effectiveness.

- Safeguard teaching and learning by blocking harmful content effectively.

- Implement monitoring strategies that align with safeguarding requirements.

- Ensure your school meets and exceeds these essential standards.

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Please check out this excellent guidance from our partners at Senso.

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So, what has changed in KCSIE for September 2023?

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Responsibilities

The revised guidance now emphasizes the designated safeguarding lead's role in taking "lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection," including online safety and understanding filtering and monitoring systems. The DSL, along with any assigned deputies, shoulders a high level of responsibility. To effectively carry out these duties, schools must provide additional training, resources, and support to ensure the DSL is well-equipped for their role.

Mandatory Safeguarding Training for Staff

Under the updated KCSIE guidance, it is now mandatory for all staff members to undergo safeguarding and child protection training. This training should be regularly updated and specifically include a focus on online safety. Staff members need to understand the expectations, applicable roles, and responsibilities in relation to filtering and monitoring, ensuring they are well-prepared to protect students from online risks.

Integrating Online Safety into Child Protection Policies

Another important change introduced by the updated guidance is the requirement for schools to reflect their approach to online safety in their child protection policy. This policy should outline appropriate filtering and monitoring measures for school devices and networks. Moreover, schools need to establish clear policies regarding the use of mobile and smart technology. With students having unlimited access to the internet through their mobile devices and data carriers, it is crucial to manage the risk of accessing harmful or inappropriate content while on school premises.

Key Takeaways

• The updated KCSIE guidance emphasizes the importance of designated safeguarding leads taking responsibility for online safety and understanding filtering and monitoring systems.
• All staff should undergo regular training on safeguarding, child protection, and online safety, including their roles and responsibilities regarding filtering and monitoring.
• Schools need to have clear policies in place for filtering and monitoring on school devices and networks, as well as for managing access to the internet on personal devices while on school premises.

Remember, Joskos is on-hand to help you to ensure you continue to meet these standards - so if you need a review with our Service Team, please get in touch!

Please take 15 minutes to watch the video below from LGfL and the SafeguardED team on the updates.

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