The following paper reflects the responses made to an online survey between September 2011 and December 2011 regarding e safety within Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCB) across England.
Local Authorities in England and Wales were required by the Childrens Act (2004) to set up Local Safeguarding Children Boards which followed the Laming Report into the death of Victoria Climbie. Each LSCB is required to promote the health and welfare of children and young people in their area.
In 2008, Becta instigated a work programme to engage and support LSCBs with e safety. The work programme saw LSCBs nominate e safety leads and the majority attended 2 day training sessions. A toolkit (now archived) was created to support the training and the formation of e safety sub groups within each LSCB structure. The toolkit comprised an array of information together with example policies, strategies and action planning. The programme, supported by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and other partners, focused attention on the subject and resulted in the prioritisation of e safety within LSCB structures.
Since the closure of Becta and the changing landscape, priorities have changed. SWGfL, like other organisations, supported the LSCBs and the nominated e safety leads through regional programmes and networks. Over the past 18 months and in recognition of changing landscape and priorities (national and local), LSCBs took different approaches with regards e safety. The purpose of this survey was to assess this dispersal and to ‘stock take’ the national picture.
The survey was conducted by SWGfL as a partner of the UK Safer Internet Centre (
www.saferinternet.org.uk) and in collaboration with UKCCIS Secretariat
The main conclusions:
- The majority (51%) of LSCBs feel insufficiently supported with regards e safety since the closure of Becta
- Slightly over a third of LSCB e safety groups are experiencing a declining attendance
- The majority of LSCBs agree that national guidance and ministerial endorsement are the priority for improvement
Download the Full report as a PDF
Published: 09/12/2011 16:43:54