Online Safety Policy

Purpose

PHB recognises that online spaces carry safeguarding risk, and that staff conduct online is as important as conduct in person.

Communication with young people

• Communication about programmes goes through parents, carers or the commissioning organisation.
• Staff do not contact participants through personal accounts, personal phone numbers or private messaging.
• Where digital communication with a young person is unavoidable, it is transparent, recorded and agreed with the partner organisation.
• Staff do not accept or send friend or follow requests to participants on personal accounts.

Social media

• PHB accounts are managed by authorised staff only.
• Content follows the photography and media policy.
• Comments or messages raising a safeguarding concern are recorded and reported.
• Staff avoid posting anything that could bring PHB or partner organisations into disrepute.

Online abuse and reporting

Online abuse, including grooming, bullying, sexual abuse, sharing of indecent images, exploitation and radicalisation, is treated as a safeguarding concern and reported through the safeguarding procedure. Where somebody is in immediate danger, emergency services are contacted.

Devices and data

• Devices used for delivery records are password protected and kept secure.
• Participant information is not stored in personal accounts or unsecured apps.
• Loss of a device holding participant data is treated as a potential data breach.

Review and contact

This document is reviewed at least annually, or sooner following an incident, a change in legislation, or a change in PHB's delivery. Date of last review: 7th Sept 2026 Date of next review: 7th Sept 2027.

Questions about this document should be directed to Pro Hoops Blueprint at info@prohoopsblueprint.comm