​

I’m Fine works with children and families as part of its activities.

These include 1:1 counselling sessions, group counselling sessions and workshops.

​

​The purpose of this policy statement:

​

• ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people is paramount

when adults, young people or children are using the internet, social media, or

mobile devices

• provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our

approach to online safety

• ensure that, as an organisation, we operate in line with our values and within

the law in terms of how we use online devices.

 

Legal framework:

​

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. Using principles detailed in The Online Safety Act 2023 and promoting online safety such as the 4C’s detailed guidance in keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

​

We believe that:

​

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind and should be able to use online services safely and without fear

• children should be able to use the Internet for education and personal

development, but safeguards need to be in place to ensure they are kept safe

at all times.

​

We recognise that:

​

• the online world provides everyone with many opportunities; however, it can

also, present risks and challenges

• we have a duty to ensure that all children, young people and adults involved in

our organisation are protected from potential harm online

• we have a responsibility to help keep children and young people safe online,

whether or not they are using I’m Fine’s network and devices

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and

other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare and in helping

young people to be responsible in their approach to online safety

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or

belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all

types of harm or abuse.

 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

​

• supporting and encouraging the young people using our service to use the internet, social media and mobile phones in a way that keeps them safe and shows respect for others, such as the 4 C’s guidance

 • supporting and encouraging parents and carers to do what they can to keep their children safe online

• developing an online safety agreement for use with young people and their parents or carers

• developing clear and robust procedures to enable us to respond appropriately to any incidents of inappropriate online behaviour, whether by an adult or a child or young person

• reviewing and updating the security of our information systems regularly

• ensuring that usernames, logins, email accounts and passwords are used effectively

• ensuring personal information about the adults and children who are involved in our organisation is held securely and shared only as appropriate

• examining and risk assessing any social media platforms and new technologies before they are used within the organisation.

 

If online abuse occurs, we will respond to it by:

​

• having clear and robust safeguarding procedures in place for responding to abuse (including online abuse)

• making sure our response takes the needs of the person experiencing abuse, any bystanders and our organisation as a whole into account

• Review the plan developed to address online abuse regularly to ensure that any problems have been resolved in the long term.

 

This policy was last reviewed on:  2nd April 2024