using ICT:
• Those children with ASD may make literal interpretations of content which will affect how they respond.
• They may not understand some of the terminology used.
• Those with more complex needs do not always understand the concept of friendship and therefore trust
everyone implicitly. They do not know how to make judgements about what information is safe to share. This
leads to confusion about why you should not trust others on the internet.
• Some individuals may be vulnerable to being bullied through the internet, or not recognize they are being bullied.
• They may not appreciate how their own online behaviour may be seen by someone else as bullying.
The Internet is an essential element in 21st century life for education, business and social interaction. Conductology
(Ireland) Ltd utilises the internet regularly and the majority of the teaching and learning is online.
Internet
Students are taught how to evaluate Internet content
• Conductology (Ireland) Ltd ensures that the use of Internet derived materials by staff and pupils complies with
copyright law.
• Students are taught how to report unpleasant Internet content to their staff, parent, carer.
• ICT systems, capacity and security are reviewed regularly.
• The Company recommends to individuals, schools, colleges and organisations whom it works with that Virus
protection should be updated regularly.
• In an email communication, students must not reveal their personal details or those of others, or arrange to meet
anyone without specific permission.
• E-mail sent to an external organisation should be written carefully and authorised before sending, in the same
way as a letter written on our headed paper.
• The forwarding of chain letters is not permitted.
Published content and the Company’s web site
• The contact details on the website are the school address, e-mail and telephone number. Staff or students’
personal information will not be published.
• The Directors will take overall editorial responsibility and ensure that content is accurate and appropriate.
Student’s images and work
• Written permission from parents or carers for the use of photographs on the website is requested as part of the
annual data collection process.
Social networking and personal publishing
• Students will be advised never to give out personal details of any kind which may identify them or their location.
• Students and parents will be advised that the use of social network spaces outside the Dr Denise Academy brings
a range of dangers for our students.
Managing filtering
• If staff or students or volunteers discover an unsuitable site, it must be reported to the Directors.
• The ICT Advisor will ensure that regular checks are made to ensure that the filtering methods selected are
appropriate, effective, and reasonable.
The use of mobile phones
• Personal mobile phones will not be used during lessons or formal training time. The sending of abusive or
inappropriate messages is forbidden either by text, Bluetooth or any other means.
• Personal phones MUST NOT be used to take photographs/videos of students.
• Staff will be permitted to use a mobile phone where contact with pupils is required or where mobile phones are
used to capture photographs of pupils on educational visits if required.
Authorising Internet access
• All staff, including those not directly employed by us, must read and sign the ‘Internet Safety and Access Policy,
before using any ICT resource. (Appendix 1)
Assessing risks
• The Company will take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users access only appropriate material. However,
due to the international scale and linked nature of Internet content, it is not possible to guarantee that unsuitable
material will never appear on a computer/device. Conductology (Ireland) Ltd cannot accept liability for the
material accessed, or any consequences of Internet access.
Handling e-safety complaints
• Complaints of Internet misuse will be dealt with by the Directors.
• Complaints of a child protection nature must be dealt with in accordance with the Company’s Child Protection
Policy.
Introducing the e-safety policy to pupils
• E-safety rules, in a format appropriate for our students, will be posted in the Academy and discussed with
students regularly as part of their learning, where appropriate.
Social Networking
Staff are made aware that their use of social networking applications has implications. Although the Company permits
staff/students/friends/volunteers/parents/associates to be friends within Conductology (Ireland) Ltd, it is vital to
disclose any inappropriateness immediately. This arrangement is monitored monthly.
All staff representatives should bear in mind that information they share through social networking applications, even if
they are on private spaces, are still subject to copyright, data protection and Freedom of Information legislation, the
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and other legislation.
Staff Emails
• Staff should not use personal email accounts to communicate with service users.
• Staff should not use work email accounts for personal purposes.
Staff and the e-safety policy
• All staff will be made aware of the Company’s e-safety policy and its importance explained.
• A copy of the policy will be available at www.conductology.com.
Date of review: April 2020
Ratified by Directors: April 2020
To be reviewed: April 2021
Appendix 1 Internet Safety and Access Policy
• All members of staff are responsible for explaining the rules and their implementations.
• All members of staff need to be aware of possible misuses of online access and their responsibilities towards
students.
• The computer system is owned by the school, and may be used by students to further their education and by
staff to enhance their professional activities including teaching, research, administration and management.
• Staff, including those not directly employed by Conductology (Ireland) Ltd, requesting Internet access should
sign a copy of this Acceptable Use Statement and return it to the main office. All Internet activity should be
appropriate to staff professional activity or the student’s education.
• Access should only be made via the authorised accounts and passwords, which should not be made available to
any other person.
• Activity that threatens the integrity of the ICT systems, or that attacks or corrupts other systems, is excluded.
• Users are responsible for all email sent and for contacts made that may result in email being reserved.
• Use for personal financial gain, political purposes or advertising is excluded.
• Copyright of materials must be respected.
• Posting anonymous messages and forwarding chain letters is excluded.
• As email can be forwarded or inadvertently sent to the wrong person, the same professional levels of language
and content should be applied as for letters or other media.
• Use of the network to access inappropriate materials such as pornographic, racist or offensive material is
excluded.
• Violation of the above code of conduct will result in a temporary or permanent ban on Internet use.
• Additional disciplinary action may be added in line with existing practice on inappropriate language or behaviour
• When applicable, police or local authorities may be involved.
Full name Dr DENISE WHITE Position: DIRECTOR
Signed: Date: 8th April 2020
Access granted: Date: 8th April 2020
Appendix 2 Policy Statement for Employees on the Abuse of the Internet
The purpose of this policy is to inform staff that abuse of the Internet will be treated extremely seriously with disciplinary action being taken that could lead to dismissal.
Where staff can use the Internet, it is on the clear understanding that abuse will not occur.
‘Abuse’ includes:
• Accessing, displaying, downloading or disseminating pornographic or other ‘adult’ materials
• Posting information that may tend to disparage or harass others based on gender, race, age, disability, religion,
sexual orientation, political affiliation or national origin
• Uploading photographs of students on to the Internet is forbidden.
• Publishing statements that are defamatory and could bring Conductology (Ireland) Ltd into disrepute
• Publishing information that is false or misleading concerning Conductology (Ireland) Ltd or any other company,
organisation or individual that could bring the Company into disrepute.
• Any activity that breaches the Data Protection Act including publishing confidential or proprietary information
of Conductology (Ireland) Ltd or any of its customers or other business associates, on unsecured Internet sites
such as Bulletin Boards or disseminating such information that might compromise its confidentiality
• Unauthorised publishing of information not related to Conductology (Ireland) Ltd.
• Knowingly downloading, using, or distributing software or programmes from the Internet without verifying their
operational integrity, e.g. the absence of computer viruses and breach of copyright.
• Participating in any form of gambling and personal use of the Internet facilities without the specific consent of
the Directors.
• The use of social networking sites is not permitted during working hours unless it is for the benefit and
promotion of the Company and agreed with the Directors. Staff should also be aware that, whilst using these
sites outside of work, discussions re activities/pupils/parents/colleagues is not acceptable and they should note
that information they share through social networking applications, even if they are on private spaces, are still
subject to copyright, data protection and Freedom of Information legislation, the Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006 as well as other legislation.
E-Safety Social Media Guidance
Appropriate
1. Set your privacy settings for any social networking site.
2. Ensure any technological equipment, (including your mobile phone) is password/ PIN protected.
3. Consider having professional online accounts/ identities if you wish to have online contact with service users, their
families and other professionals.
4. Make sure that all publicly available information about you is accurate and appropriate.
5. Remember online conversations may be referred to as ‘chat’ but they are written documents and should always be
treated as such.
6. Make sure that you know the consequences of misuse of digital equipment.
7. If you are unsure who can view online material, assume it is public. Remember - once information is online you
have relinquished control.
8. Switch off Bluetooth
9. When you receive any new equipment (personal or private) make sure that you know what features it has as
standard and take appropriate action to disable/ protect.
Inappropriate
1. Give your personal information to students. This includes mobile phone numbers (unless authorised for
Conductology (Ireland) Ltd business), social networking accounts (currently being monitored), personal website/
blog URLs, online image storage sites, passwords etc.
2. Use the internet or web-based communication to send personal messages to children/young people/vulnerable
groups.
3. Share your personal details with students on a social network site.
4. Use your own digital camera/ video for work. This includes integral cameras on mobile phones.
5. Play online games with students.
This policy statement is subject to revision and staff are advised to consult it regularly.
E-Safety Audit Conductology (Ireland) Ltd
This self-audit should be completed by the Company Directors.
Has Conductology (Ireland) Ltd an e-Safety Policy that complies with Local Authority guidance? Y/N
Date of latest update (at least annual):
The school e-safety policy was agreed by Company Directors on:
The policy is available for staff at:
The policy is available for parents/carers at:
The Designated Child Protection Coordinator is:
The e-Safety Coordinator is:
Has e-safety training been provided for both students and staff?
Y/N
Is there a clear procedure for a response to an incident of concern?
Y/N
Have e-safety materials from CEOP and Becta been obtained?
Y/N
Do all staff sign a Code of Conduct for ICT on appointment?
Y/N
Are all students aware of the Company’s e-Safety Rules?
Y/N
Are e-safety rules displayed clearly and expressed in a form that is accessible to all students? Y/N
Are staff, students, parents/carers and visitors aware that network and Internet use is closely
monitored and individual usage can be traced?
Y/N
Has an ICT security audit been initiated by the Company, possibly using external expertise?
Y/N
Is personal data collected, stored and used according to the principles of the Data Protection
Act?
Y/N
WWW.CONDUCTOLOGY.COM
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