Gorefield Pre-School

Safeguarding and welfare requirements child protection

Child protection

1.6 use of mobile phones, cameras and technological devices policy

Policy for Staff and Volunteers for the Use of personal technological devices

The setting recognises that staff, students and volunteers may wish to have their personal mobile phones at work for use in case of emergency. It is acknowledged that staff may also have other technological devices in their possession or within their personal belongings.

However, safeguarding of children within the setting is paramount and it is recognised that personal mobile phones and technological devices have the potential to be used inappropriately and therefore the setting management have implemented the following policy:

• Personal mobile phones and technological devices should only be used outside of working hours and never whilst children are present

• Personal mobile phones and technological devices should be stored with the staff’s personal belongings in the office

• In very unusual circumstances, such as a family emergency, staff and volunteers should seek permission from the manager or employer to use their mobile phone

• If a staff member, student or volunteer must use their mobile phone (see above) this should be away from the children and ensuring that staff supervision levels are not compromised

• Staff, students or volunteers who ignore this policy and use a mobile on the setting premises without permission may face disciplinary action

• The setting main telephone number can be used for emergencies by staff or volunteers or by people who need to contact them

• In circumstances such as outings and off site visits, staff will agree with their manager the appropriate use of personal mobile phones in the event of an emergency

• Where there is a suspicion that the material on a mobile phone or technological devices may be unsuitable and may provide evidence relating to a criminal offence the ‘Allegations of Abuse’ process will be followed (please refer to the setting Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy)

• Staff, students or volunteers remain responsible for their own property and will bear the responsibility of any losses.

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Non Staff *use of personal mobile phones and cameras and technological devices

The setting recognises that visitors may wish to have their personal mobile phones with them to use in case of emergency.

However, safeguarding of children within the setting is paramount and it is recognised that personal mobile phones and technological devices have the potential to be used inappropriately and therefore the setting management have implemented the following policy:

• Mobile phones and technological devices should only be used away from the children and where possible, off site

• In very unusual circumstances, such as a family emergency, visitors should seek permission from the setting manager to use their mobile phone

• The setting main telephone number can be used for emergencies

• Photos of children must not be taken without prior discussion with the setting manager and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and using the' Use of Images Consent Form' (please refer to the setting document Guidance for settings on the use of Images, Cameras and technological devices ’ in accordance with the Data protection act 1998

• In circumstances where there is a suspicion that the material on a mobile phone or technological device may be unsuitable and provide evidence relating to a criminal offence the ‘Allegations of Abuse’ process will be followed (please refer to the setting Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy)

• people remain responsible for their own property and will bear the responsibility of any losses

Use of the settings mobile phone, camera and technological devices

Gorefield Pre-School provides a camera for staff, students and volunteers to use to support their work with children. To ensure the appropriate use of this equipment, and to safeguard children, the following policy applies:

• Only the camera and technological devices belonging to the setting may be used to take appropriate and relevant images of children, i.e. observations, photographs of setting events.

• Images must be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (please refer to the settings document ‘Guidance for settings on the use of Images, Mobile Phones and Cameras in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998’).

• Cameras and technological devices should only be used where two or more staff members are present.

• It is not appropriate to take photographs of bruising or injuries on a child for child protection concerns. In these cases, the ‘Logging Concern Form and Body Map’ must be used.

• In circumstances where there is a suspicion that the material on the settings mobile phone or technological devices may be unsuitable and provide evidence relating to a criminal offence, the ‘Allegations of Abuse’ process will be followed (please refer to the settings ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’).

• The settings mobile phone and technological devices remains the property of the setting at all times and should not be taken off of the premises (with the exception of visits and outings).