Childnet is delighted to announce the launch of our new and updated STAR toolkit resource for supporting young people with special educational needs.
This STAR Toolkit is an extension of an original project launched in 2014 and has been developed in partnership with SEN educators, as part of Childnet’s work in the UK Safer Internet Centre.
The resource aims to equip, enable, and empower educators with the knowledge they need to support young people who have special educational needs when they are online.
Kate Edwards, Childnet’s Education and Safeguarding Manager, explains the importance of this update:
All SEN pupils interact with the internet in different ways, and therefore it’s important that online safety education can be adapted and tailored to an individual’s needs. We heard directly from educators who wanted tangible examples and scenarios to discuss with young people. They also wanted activities which focus not only on staying safe online but also on your own online behaviour. This updated toolkit has been designed with this in mind to support educators in exploring online safety risks in a meaningful and accessible way for all their students.
How to use this toolkit
The STAR toolkit is made up of 4 key sections, each of which reflects a current online safety risk, and experiences of young people.
Under each of the 4 sections there are starting point discussions to explore key language and concepts, along with teaching point activities. Each teaching point will offer 3 ways of approaching the topic in order to give educators maximum flexibility with the resource and allowing for a more tailored lesson delivery.
The Toolkit has a focus on the concept of friendship, with an emphasis on making sensible choices both online and offline.
S is for safe sharing
The first section of the toolkit has been developed to help generate discussions about safe and responsible sharing online; it encourages pupils to consider what personal information is and how they can keep it safe.
To accompany the resources there are also guidance and activities for educators, covering things such as:
- Understanding what we mean by technology and the internet
- Getting to know our early warning signs and asking for help
- Top tips for safe sharing online
- Ideas for revisiting and extending the learning
- A ‘Beyond the classroom’ resource to support parents, carers and residential staff
Continual feedback and development
This resource is being developed and launched in stages in order to obtain and build upon feedback whilst working with educators and specialist organisations.
The first instalment of this new look toolkit covers ‘S is for safe sharing’, with new content being developed from 2019 onwards. Find out more about what will be included in the whole toolkit by visiting www.childnet.com/resources/star-sen-toolkit/what-to-expect
If you have used the resource and would like to give feedback then please complete this survey monkey or email education@childnet.com
