Health and E-Safety Policy
Introduction
London Bridge College encourages the use of technology and recognises the benefits and opportunities which new technologies offer to our students and staff.
Technology can enhance students’ learning experience and promotes skills and achievement. However, the accessible and global nature of the internet and associated technologies means that we are also aware of the potential risks faced and challenges involved.
Our approach is to implement safeguards within the college which will support staff and students to manage any potential risks and to deal with these risks independently. We believe that this can be achieved through a combination of security measures, training, guidance and implementation of our associated policies.
The technologies encompassed within this policy include all computer based technologies, online communication technologies and digital technologies. In addition, we will do all that we can to ensure that all of our students and staff stay
Aim
The aim of this policy is to develop an approach to e-safety and to promote and safeguard the welfare of all staff and students in a digital world. This will be achieved without hindering students’ e-learning experience, whilst ensuring that skills and knowledge are developed to maximise the use of technology in an appropriate manner.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all London Bridge College students and staff (including agency staff and contractors) and the use they make of the internet and electronic communication devices such as email, mobile phones and social networking sites, whether using college systems or resources of their own. This policy also applies to behaviour towards other people in college using private mobiles.
Roles and Responsibilities
There are clear guidelines and lines of responsibility for e-safety within the college.
The first point of contact should be the tutor. All staff are responsible for ensuring the safety of students and should report any concerns immediately to their line managers. All London Bridge students will be made aware of the E-safety policy prior to starting the course. Should a student have concerns regarding e-safety they should contact a member of their course team.
Security
London Bridge College will do all it can to ensure that the network is safe and secure. Every effort will be made to keep security software up to date and fit for purpose. Appropriate security measures will include the use of enhanced filtering and protection of firewalls and servers to prevent malicious or accidental access of college systems and information.
Behaviour
Online communication can take many forms, whether via e-mail, text, video conferencing or instant chat/messaging. The college will ensure that all users of technologies adhere to the expected standard of behaviour. Whether offline or online, communications by staff and students should be courteous and respectful at all times. Any reported incident or bullying, harassment or other unacceptable behaviour will be treated seriously.
Where conduct is found to be unacceptable, London Bridge College will deal with this internally. Where conduct is considered illegal, the matter will be referred to the Police. Additionally, the college may seek to involve other agencies where conduct is believed to be unacceptable or illegal.
Communications
There is a wealth of technologies now available to enhance communication with one another. It is noted that this policy will require continual updating in line with the evolving nature of e-technology and associated communication methods. Electronic communication includes:
- Internet collaboration tools: social networking sites and blogs.
- Internet research: websites, search engines, and web browsers.
- Mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
- Internet communications: email and instant messaging.
- Webcams and video conferencing.
Data Protection/Personal Information
Any processing of personal information must be carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
London Bridge College collects and stores the personal information of staff and students regularly e.g. names, dates of birth, email addresses, assessment materials and so on. The college will keep that information safe and secure and will not pass any information onto anyone else without the express permission of the member of staff, student, parent or carer.
Use of Images and Videos
The use of images, photographs and videos is particularly popular to promote the outstanding work carried out in different curriculum areas, this practice should be encouraged where there is no breach of copyright or the rights of another person.
This includes downloading images from the internet and images belonging to staff and students. No images, photographs or videos can be copied, downloaded, shared or distributed online without permission from the person.
Education and Training
With the current unlimited nature of internet access, it is impossible for London Bridge College to eliminate all risks for staff and students. It is our view, therefore, that the college should support staff and students through training and education. This will provide all users with the necessary skills to be able to identify risks and deal with them independently and manage them effectively.
Staff (including agency staff and contractors)
Staff will be offered e-safety training before beginning a course, and through staff development sessions throughout the year. This will take the form of E-CPD and will allow tutors hands-on experience, it will also generate further required CPD and following on from the short sessions, guidance and information will be issued to all staff. Any new or temporary users of the college ICT system will be asked to sign the AUP and follow the e-safety rules.
Students
Students should have e-safety embedded into all courses using e-learning technologies. Tutorial Advisors and Personal Tutors will be expected to reinforce e-safety messages through the tutorial programme.
Students should be encouraged to question the viability and reliability of materials researched, viewed or downloaded. They should be encouraged to respect the copyright of other parties and to cite reference properly.
Incidents and Reporting
Where an e-safety matter is reported, the matter will be dealt with very seriously. London Bridge College will act immediately to prevent, as far as is reasonably possible, any harm or further harm occurring. If a learner wishes to report an incident, they can do so to their tutor. When a member of staff wishes to report an incident they must inform their line manager, who will inform the head of the centre.
Following any reported incident a full investigation will be carried out and the the most appropriate course of action will be ecided. Sanctions may be put in place, external agencies may be contacted or the matter resolved internally depending on the seriousness of the incident. Serious incidents will be dealt with by senior management, in consultation with appropriate external agencies.
Useful Contacts
While we want all learners to have a successful and enjoyable time on your programme, and we recognise that there are times when some individuals may need some advice and support for issues of a more personal nature.
We have included a list below of some useful contact numbers for organisations that can offer confidential advice, counselling and information.
| Contact | Telephone Number |
| Cruse Bereavement Care National Helpline | 0870 167 1677 |
| Victim Support | 0845 303 0900 |
| Relate | 0845 130 4010 |
| National Debt Line | 0808 808 4000 |
| Women’s Aid Helpline (Domestic Violence) | 0845 702 3468 |
| Release Emergency Service (Drugs related issues) | 020 7603 8654 |
| Turning Point (Drugs related issues) | 020 7702 2300 |
| Gingerbread (support for lone parents) | 0800 018 4318 |
| National Council for One Parent Families | 0800 018 5026 |
| Gamblers Anonymous | 08700 50 88 80 |
| Shelter (Homelessness) | 0808 800 4444 |
| London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard | 020 7837 7324 |
| Samaritans | 08457 90 90 90 |
| NHS Smoking Helpline | 0800 169 0169 |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | 0845 769 7555 |
| Learning Disability Helpline | 0808 808 1111 |
Further Information
Useful links for further information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCWBf7WKYyA
Last update: September 2020, Review: August 2021