Online Safety Policy relating to Young Adults with a Learning Disabilities (UK)

1. Purpose

To ensure young adults with learning disabilities are:

• Safe from online harm, abuse, and exploitation

• Supported to use the internet confidently and positively

• Empowered to make informed choices online

2. Key Principles

• ✅ Safety and wellbeing come first

• ✅ Empowerment over restriction (teach safe use rather than banning access)

• ✅ Proportional supervision (based on individual needs)

• ✅ Respect for privacy and rights

• ✅ Early intervention and reporting

3. Scope

Applies to:

• Service users / students aged 16–25 (or similar)

• Staff, carers, support workers, volunteers

• Use of:

  • Social media

  • Messaging apps

  • Gaming platforms

  • Email

  • Internet browsing

4. Risks to Address

Young adults with learning disabilities may be more vulnerable to:

• 🚫 Online grooming & sexual exploitation

• 💰 Financial scams and fraud

• 🤝 Fake friendships / mate crime

• 😡 Cyberbullying

• 📢 Sharing personal information inappropriately

• ⚠️ Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content

5. Responsibilities

Staff / Carers

• Provide guidance, supervision, and support

• Monitor concerns and report safeguarding issues

• Model safe online behaviour

• Ensure appropriate filters and controls are in place

Organisation

• Provide training for staff and users

• Maintain clear safeguarding and reporting procedures

• Liaise with external agencies when required (e.g., social services, police)

Young Adults

(With support where needed)

• Follow agreed online rules

• Report anything that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable

• Protect personal information

6. Safe Use Guidelines

Personal Information

• Do not share:

  • Address, phone number, school/work location

  • Financial details

• Use privacy settings on all accounts

Communication

• Only communicate with people you know or trust

• Be cautious of:

  • Requests for money

  • Requests to meet offline

  • Pressure to share images or information

Social Media

• Use strong passwords

• Accept friend requests carefully

• Report/block suspicious users

7. Support Strategies (Best Practice)

• 👥 One-to-one digital safety teaching

• 📚 Easy-read guides and visual resources

• 🎭 Role-play scenarios (e.g., spotting scams)

• 🔒 Use of parental controls or supervised accounts where appropriate

• 🧩 Tailored risk assessments for each individual

8. Monitoring & Supervision

• Use proportionate monitoring based on risk level:

  • Low risk: independence with periodic checks

  • Medium risk: guided use, regular review

  • High risk: supervised access

• Any monitoring must:

  • Be explained clearly to the individual

  • Respect dignity and privacy

9. Reporting Concerns

Immediate Action

If a safeguarding concern arises:

• Reassure the individual

• Do not promise confidentiality

• Record details accurately

Report to:

• Safeguarding Lead / Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

• Local Authority Safeguarding Team

• Police (if immediate danger)

10. Training Requirements

Staff must receive training on:

• Online safety risks for vulnerable adults

• Recognising signs of grooming or exploitation

• UK safeguarding procedures

• Supporting digital inclusion safely

11. Review & Evaluation

• Policy reviewed annually

• Incident logs reviewed regularly for trends

• Feedback gathered from service users and staff

12. Useful UK Resources

• NSPCC Online Safety

• UK Safer Internet Centre

• Ann Craft Trust (Safeguarding adults with disabilities)

• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)

It is essential, where high dependency needs are identified, to provie one to one support for those with a Learning Disability