Issue - meetings

(a)       Members confirmed they had received an appropriate level of assurance regarding the support and monitoring of schools with regard to social media and internet safety.

(b)       Members agreed that future reporting that Online Safety was incorporated within the annual Safeguarding in Education report and  presented to the Joint Education, Youth & Culture and Social & Health Care OSCs.

In presenting the report the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) commented that the report was brought to committee annually and she highlighted some of the headlines. There were significant challenges for pupils and schools as regards to online safety and it was important that they kept themselves safe online. 

She referred Members to key points in the report which provided advice and guidance to schools on Social Media and Internet Safety.  Information on the Hwb site which promoted the 360-degree Safe Cymru Tool for schools, was something the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) wanted all schools to use.  Reference to the Safer Internet Day was provided, with training provided by the Regional Improvement Service (GwE) and all schools having access to the online bullying form and explanations on how it should be reported.  The IT web filtering systems were explained, and she also provided information on the Schools Health Research Network (SHRN) and the “Be Kind Online Pledge”. 

The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) sought members thoughts on whether the Social Media and Internet Safety report should continue to be part of the Annual Safeguarding in Education report or be a separate report presented to this committee or indeed presented to the joint Education Youth & Culture and Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

A discussion followed with some Members commenting that it should go to the joint meeting with the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee to enable wider debate.

Members were also requested to email questions to the Healthy Schools Practitioner and the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) and that all questions and responses would be circulated to members of the committee.

            Councillor Carolyn Preece had concerns with the second recommendation saying that this could get lost in the main report and lose focus. The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) provided re-assurance that there would be a specific section for this within the Safeguarding in Education report.

The first recommendation, as outlined within the report, was moved by Councillor Paul Cunningham and seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey

The second recommendation, as outlined within the report, was moved by Councillor Paul Cunningham and seconded by Councillor Carolyn Preece.

RESOLVED:

(a)      Members confirmed they had received an appropriate level of assurance regarding the support and monitoring of schools with regard to social media and internet safety.

(b)      Members agreed that future reporting that Online Safety was incorporated within the annual Safeguarding in Education report and  presented to the Joint Education, Youth & Culture and Social & Health Care OSCs.