We are pleased to announce the launch of an updated and improved version of our award-winning online safety tool 360 safe Scotland. Here we detail the new features and changes that new and existing users can benefit from.
Why the New Version?
Over 13,000 schools across the UK have used the 360 safe online safety self-review tools. Annual data analysis has shown this important tool has helped to significantly improve online safety policy and practice in schools.
However, we need to keep improving the tool to meet the needs of schools and keep abreast of the latest technology, behaviours, legislation and statutory guidance. The hierarchy of standards on which the original 360 safe Scotland tool is based were written in a time when the use of digital technologies and social media was far more limited. Mobile devices and phones were expensive and ICT suites and interactive whiteboards were the order of the day. We have regularly updated the content in the tool to keep it relevant but the original structure has remained the same. We have now decided to restructure the tool to reflect school needs in this modern landscape whilst minimising the impact on users.
Making it More Effective
We have streamlined the tool and the user experience. The structure is similar to that of before, but is re-ordered and more obvious. There are four elements, which are:
Element | Aimed at | Covers |
Policy and Leadership | School Leaders, Designated Child Protection Leads | Responsibility and accountability for incidents; how they are dealt with and the policy that informs each part of the strategy |
Education | Curriculum leaders and subject specialists | How learners are educated to build resilience; staff training to improve practice; how families are supported and how external agencies contribute to the strategy |
Technology | Those responsible for technical and cyber security | Filtering, monitoring, technical and cyber security to keep all users safe. Defining practices when using technologies and meeting obligations on data protection |
Outcomes | School Leaders, Designated Child Protection Leads | The impact of online safety policy and practice |
Below the elements are a number of strands, split into 20 aspects.
Reducing Workload
Reshaping the tool means we have been able to ensure judgements are not only more reliable and relevant but are now only required for 20 aspects, rather than the previous 25, thereby reducing workload.
Whereas in the past, some of those descriptors were wordy and repetitive as they matured, we have broken them apart into simpler steps that build on the previous level. This makes it much more obvious to track progression (and a less crowded screen too).
We have also written new level descriptors to ensure that the suggested benchmark thresholds are now all at Level 2. In the majority of aspects it will be no more difficult for schools to reach the new benchmark level, but for a few aspects, the required benchmark standards will be higher due to changes in legislation or statutory guidance.
What else has changed?
Changes in the tool content are also reflected in the new policy templates, embedded in the tool. These have been re-ordered and updated to reflect the latest guidance and statutory changes.
What Does This Mean for Existing 360 safe Scotland Users?
Your levels and commentaries have been transferred to the new tool. Where aspects have been changed, this data will have been transferred from the nearest equivalent judgement in the old tool to make the process easier for you.
We would encourage all schools to visit the new tool after the update to check that the levels and commentaries you have provided are still accurate and to ensure that your practice still meets relevant guidance.
In the new tool, you can still go back and access a report of your levels and commentaries as they existed in the old structure at the time of the update. Moving forward you will be able to see historic reports for any date from now on.
What next?
The new version of 360 safe Scotland will be launched in October 2022. If you are a user, we’ll be in touch to let you know about the changes in more detail.
Haven’t used 360 safe Scotland yet to shape your school’s online safety strategy? There is no better time than now to start your school’s journey and benefit from this award-winning tool.
