Overview and statutory guidance
This policy applies to all adults, including staff, volunteers, and external agency workers operating on behalf of Holton Sleaford Independent School. All associates represent an essential part of the wider safeguarding system described in statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. Everyone working in or for our school shares the primary objective to help keep children and young people safe.
This policy should be read alongside the following statutory frameworks and school policies:
- HM Government Prevent Strategy
- Department for Education (DfE) statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
- HSIS Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- HSIS Staff Code of Conduct and Behaviour Policy
Holton Sleaford Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance. We recognise that some children, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), may be especially vulnerable to online abuse, grooming, and exploitation.
The Headteacher (Daniel Laughton) and Designated Safeguarding Lead (Toni Aston) oversee the safe use of technology across the school and act immediately upon any concerns regarding online bullying, radicalisation, or online grooming. They are responsible for protecting all members of the school community and safeguarding the school’s online safety environment.
Key personnel
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Toni Aston
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs): Will Scott and Mark Smith
- Executive Headteacher: Daniel Laughton
- Safeguarding Governor: Chris Armond
Education of pupils
Children are taught about online safety through discrete, progressive learning opportunities as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.
Our online safety curriculum includes the following principles:
- Key online safety messages are reinforced through tutor times, Personal Growth and Wellbeing (PGW) lessons, and SMSC sessions, including Safer Internet Week (February) and Anti-Bullying Week (November).
- Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe online and exercise responsible digital citizenship across different technologies.
- Pupils are guided to use age-appropriate search engines for research. Staff actively monitor visited content and enforce specific search terms to minimise exposure to unsuitable material.
- In lessons with pre-planned internet use, pupils access pre-checked websites, with clear reporting processes in place should unsuitable material be encountered.
- Pupils are taught to be critically aware of online content, including recognising bias, commercial motivations, and extreme views, while validating information accuracy.
- Pupils are taught to acknowledge information sources and respect copyright laws.
- Pupils participate in shaping the online safety curriculum through School Council representations.
- Pupils learn to recognise and respond appropriately to all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, supporting one another in safe online practices.
Staff and governor training
A planned programme of online safety training ensures all staff and governors understand their statutory responsibilities:
- All staff know the identity of the DSL and DDSLs.
- An annual audit assesses the online safety training needs of all staff.
- All new staff and governors receive online safety training during induction.
- Supply staff and student teachers are briefed on school online safety procedures.
- Safeguarding training incorporates regular online safety updates and reviews.
- Staff and governors are signposted to the Professionals Online Safety Helpline (POSH) on 0344 381 4772.
Online bullying and cyberbullying
Online bullying of any member of the school community will not be tolerated. All reported incidents are recorded and investigated in accordance with our Behaviour Policy.
Pupils and staff can report concerns to a trusted adult or via the Childline app / helpline on 0800 1111. Where incidents occur, staff gather and preserve electronic evidence. Investigations may involve examining system logs, interviewing witnesses, and contacting service providers or the police.
Sanctions for involvement in online bullying include:
- Requiring the removal of inappropriate material, or contacting service providers to remove content if the individual refuses or is unable to do so.
- Suspending school internet access for a specified period.
- Informing parents and carers immediately.
- Contacting the police if a criminal offence is suspected.
Youth-produced sexual imagery and sexting
When an incident involving youth-produced sexual imagery comes to light, staff must observe the following procedure:
- Refer the incident immediately to the DSL.
- The DSL conducts an initial review meeting with key staff and holds subsequent interviews with young people involved where appropriate.
- Parents are notified early unless doing so would place a young person at risk of harm.
- Any device containing or suspected of containing an illegal image of a child under 18 must be secured, switched off, and handed to the DSL. Staff must never search, view, copy, delete, or forward suspected images.
- Incidents are recorded and managed in alignment with Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) pathways.
Prevent duty and counter-radicalisation
Holton Sleaford Independent School ensures pupils are protected from terrorist and extremist material online through managed web filtering systems. Monitoring processes identify attempts to access restricted material, and pupils are educated to evaluate online sources critically.
Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The DSL (and DDSLs in their absence) maintains safeguarding standards by:
- Liaising with the Head of School, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and Children’s Social Care regarding statutory investigations.
- Promoting the educational outcomes of Looked After Children (LAC) and children with social workers.
- Maintaining confidential, detailed, and accurate written records of concerns on SchoolPod.
- Undergoing formal DSL training at least every two years and attending L LCC DSL briefings regularly.
- Fostering a school culture centered on listening to children and respecting their wishes.
Staff disclosure response procedures
When receiving a safeguarding disclosure from a pupil, staff must:
- Listen calmly and take the disclosure seriously without displaying shock or judgment.
- Avoid asking leading questions; use open TED techniques (“Tell me, Explain to me, Describe to me”).
- Explain sensitively that confidentiality cannot be kept when safety is at risk, and clarify that information will only be shared with the DSL.
- Record details immediately using the child’s exact words on a Cause for Concern form or SchoolPod, noting physical injuries on an official body map without taking photographs.
Contextual safeguarding and early help
Staff recognise that safeguarding risks often originate outside the school environment (e.g., peer networks, online spaces, local community contexts). The DSL incorporates contextual factors when making referrals to Children’s Social Care.
Early Help assessments are initiated for children demonstrating additional vulnerabilities, including SEN needs, medical conditions, mental health difficulties, attendance concerns, young carer responsibilities, or exposure to domestic abuse or substance misuse.
Policy appendices and external guidance
Staff and parents can access the following official statutory frameworks:
Appendix A: Working Together to Safeguard Children
Click the link to read: Working Together to Safeguard Children
Appendix B: Keeping Children Safe in Education (GOV.UK)
Click the link to read: Keeping Children Safe in Education (GOV.UK)
Appendix C: Safeguarding Referral Flowchart
Appendix D: Lincolnshire Prevent Referral Pathway
Appendix E: Teaching Online Safety in School
Click the link to read: Teaching Online Safety in School
Appendix F: UKCIS Education for a Connected World
Click the link to read: UKCIS Education for a Connected World
Appendix G: Revised Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales
Click the link to read: Revised Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales
