This online safeguarding information is for parents and carers of young people who are part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Young Leaders programme.
At the DofE, we’re committed to safeguarding the young people we work with, regardless of how we engage with them.
We’ve done safeguarding risk assessments for the online applications we’ll use with young people. These assessments have allowed us to put safety measures in place that will protect young people when they’re online with us.
If you’d like to see a copy of our safeguarding risk assessments, please contact the Young Leaders Team on [email protected].
How we safeguard your child online
The DofE will safeguard your child while they’re online with us by:
- Completing detailed safeguarding risk assessments of the applications we use.
- Making sure that staff running sessions have up to date DBS/PVG checks and have done safeguarding training.
- Having at least two staff on each online session.
- Making information and guidance about delivering online training available for parents/carers and young people.
- Making sure that young people taking part in online sessions are aware of the behaviour expectation or rules.
- Having robust procedures in place for monitoring who is joining an online session.
- Only allowing young people to join through their own learning platform account.
- Turing off certain features on the applications we use when they’re not needed.
- Continuing to adhere to our safeguarding policy.
The Young Leaders programme matches the DofE programme ages with young people from the age of 14-24 taking part, although the majority will be 14-19. In the main room, we always have a DofE staff member present. We use breakout rooms during the sessions and have at least three young people in breakout rooms and a member of staff checking in during the session.
Online applications
We use a learning platform called HowNow, and our online session application is called Adobe Connect. By completing the permission form you’re giving permission for the child in your care to use this package.
We’ve given young people information in their action planning session module about how to set up their space before they join us online. For instance, we recommend that they’re not in their bedrooms and do not have any personal items on display in the background, so that their location is not identifiable.
Cameras and microphones
We ask our Young Leaders to have their cameras on during the session so we can see that they’re actively engaged in the session. They’ll turn their microphones on when they’re speaking in the breakout sessions or giving feedback.
Supervision
If you want to supervise your child when they’re online, we encourage you to be in the vicinity while the session is taking place, but out of view of the camera.
Additional support needs
If your child has additional support needs that will need help from you or from our team, please contact us before the session so we can plan for this and make sure that they get the most out of the session.
This might include supporting them to use the technology, acting as their spokesperson if they are non-verbal, or helping them understand the instructions if they need extra help.
Clothing
We’ve made it clear in the young people’s code of conduct that they must dress appropriately for online video calls. We understand that young people are at home and in their comfortable clothes, however we ask that young people do not wear their pyjamas or revealing clothing for our online sessions. If they’re wearing unsuitable clothing, a staff member will ask them to get changed. If they do not agree to this, they’ll not be allowed to join the session.
Reminders
Young people will get a reminder about their session, but if they cannot attend for any reason please encourage them to cancel as soon as possible to allow someone else to book the slot.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and we hope your child will have a great Young Leaders experience. If you want to contact us, please do so on 01753 727401 or [email protected].
