This guide contains nine principles to help social workers and other social work professionals support foster carers and care experienced children understand how to safely benefit from being online. Each principle is accompanied by a rationale, as well as examples of what best practice and the risks may look like.
Achievable and consistent online safety policies and procedures are in place, regularly updated and understood by all.
Training/updates on the risks, benefits and support for young people being online are regularly accessed and shared with the whole team.
Online benefits and safety are routinely incorporated into working practice and considered
as part of contextual safeguarding.
Foster carers understand and are aware of online safety policies, procedures and escalation routes.
Foster carers are supported to understand and access information, training and help on the risks, benefits and support for young people being online.
Foster carers are supported in setting parental controls and discussing online risks, benefits and support with children in their care.
The voice of the child is listened to.
Young people use online connectivity to maintain healthy relationships, develop digital resilience and engage with the online environment in a supported way.
Joined up working between all those supporting the child is encouraged so they receive consistent support and advice about their online world.
See related advice and practical tips to support children online: