Correspondence, Communication and Social Networking

Contents

1. Key Principles
2. Risk Management and Planning
3. Images and Photographs
4. Web Enabled or Internet Technology/Social Networking
5. Guidance

1. Key Principles

It is difficult to stay abreast of all emerging communications technology, but this does not mean that new technologies necessarily present us with new problems.

The key principles, outlined below, apply to all forms of communication that children/young people may have with others, including:

• Letters and other forms of written correspondence;
• Telecommunications of any sort, including all mobile communications;
• Web or internet enabled communications, including 'social networking' websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat;
• Informal or formal 'face to face' social occasions.

The principles of keeping children/young people safe are exactly the same, no matter what technologies they use or have access to:

1. Children should be given every opportunity to communicate with parents, relatives and friends, so long as they and others are protected from harm or from committing a criminal offence;
2. Before permitting a child to communicate with anyone, in any way, a risk assessment must be undertaken, on a planned or 'on the spot' basis.

2. Risk Management and Planning

Before a child/young person undertakes any communication, a risk assessment must be completed and suitable arrangements agreed or permitted.

2.1 Planned Arrangements

Preferably, the arrangements for a child to communicate with others should be risk assessed and shared with the child, social worker and those affected; with the arrangements clearly agreed, preferably in writing e.g. in the Child's Placement Plan.

If it appears that communications need to be limited or withdrawn, the Director/Registered Manager of the community should consult the social worker and, where appropriate, the parent(s), changinge the arrangements as necessary. All changes must be set down in writing, preferably in the child's Placement Plan.

2.2 In an emergency

If no plan exists or circumstances are such that the agreed plan is compromised, staff must act as they see fit in the circumstances - taking account of the overall principle that they have a duty to take all reasonable steps to protect the child/young person and others from harm or to prevent any criminal offence from being committed.

This means that staff may limit or withdraw access to any form of communication in order to protect the child or another person from injury, to protect property from being damaged or an offence being committed.

If such exceptional action is taken, the child's social worker must be notified within 1 working day.

If a child/young person is prevented from having access to a telephone, or access is reduced, it is deemed to be a Sanction, and must be recorded as such. It may also be necessary to consult Ofsted to ensure best practice.

3. Images and Photographs

Children should not be permitted to have access to cameras or other technologies, including mobile 'phones, for the capturing of images or photographs unless it has been explicitly agreed by the placing authority in consultation with the child's parent(s) or a person with Parental Responsibility.

If agreement is given, consideration must be given to whether and how any images will be passed or given to third parties who may exploit them or may place the child(ren) or others at risk. If any risk is posed, to the child or others, the arrangements must immediately be reviewed. If the risks cannot be reduced or prevented, access to the camera/technology must be withdrawn.

The agreement and any arrangements must be put in writing, preferably in the child's Placement Plan and reviewed regularly or in the light of any events or incidents which have placed the child or others at risk.

Under no circumstances may images or photographs of children/young people be taken or captured without the approval of the Community Director, in consultation with the placing authority.

4. Web Enabled or Internet Technology/Social Networking

Children/young people may not be given access to any form of web enabled or internet technology unless arrangements have been made to ensure that the exchange of information is filtered to protect the children and those being communicated with, e.g. on 'social networking' (see definition in italics below) sites, from any illegal or potentially harmful images orf information.

Children/young people should not be permitted to use sites that are also used by adults unless a full risk assessment has been carried out, in consultation with the social worker and a reputable IT specialist and suitable arrangements put in place to protect the child and others. These arrangements must be outlined in the child's Placement Plan or in the Statement of Purpose for the home, and must be reviewed regularly or in the light of any incident or event which compromises the safety of the child.

Staff who use social networking sites, chat rooms or other web enabled/internet technology when they are off duty must ensure they take precautions to ensure they do so safely. If, at any time, they suspect that a child/young person or someone known to a child/young person has communicated with them, they must cease the communication immediately and report the matter to their manager.

Social networking sites are websites where you can create a profile all about yourself and contact other people. You can also upload photos, music and videos to share with other people, and on some sites, chat to other people on forums. Popular social networking websites include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, but there are lots of others. They are used by people of all ages and some people have profiles on more than one website.

5. Guidance

When considering whether to permit a child to utilise or have access to any form of communication, consideration must be given to:

1. The child/young person's background;
2. The circumstances 'on the day' or at the time;
3. Any risks posed by or to the person(s) being communicated with.

For example, the manager/staff should consider the following:

• Is there any Contact Order in force in relation to the child/young person or any member of his/her family?
• Is the child/young person or person(s) being communicated with subject to a Child Protection Plan or a Child in Need?
• Is there anything in the cChild's Care Plan, Placement Plan or Cchronology that indicates s/he or others may be at risk?
• Have the parent(s) been consulted about the arrangements or given consent?
• Are the person(s) being communicated with known, is the person an adult or does s/he pose any risk?
• Is there any risk that the child/young person is being or may be bullied, mistreated or abused?
• Is there any risk the child/young person may use the communication to bully or mistreat others, or to commit a crime?
• Before permitting any form of web enabled or internet communication, staff should be satisfied the child/young person and others are safe;
• If the person(s) is not known or poses any risk at all, staff must limit or withdraw contact and immediately consult a manager, who must undertake a full risk assessment in consultation with the social worker;
• This can include temporarily withdrawing or removing mobile phones, internet access or computers from the child/young person.