Online Safety and Harms Course

Online Safety and Harms – Online Course

Course overview
This online course introduces the risks and harms children and young people can encounter online, and how those working with them can recognise, prevent and respond to concerns. It covers online safety in schools, the signs of online abuse, safeguarding legislation and guidance, and how to support children and engage parents and carers. The course takes one hour and is CPD accredited.

Please note: this is an introductory, Level 1 course that builds awareness and foundational knowledge. It does not replace any specialist, practical or role-specific safeguarding training an employer may require, or a setting’s own online safety policies and procedures.

What the course covers
– Online safety in schools, including policies and procedures
– What online harm is, how children encounter harmful content and the effects it can have
– The 4 Cs of online safety
– Key safeguarding legislation and guidance for schools
– The Prevent Duty and online radicalisation
– How, where and why online abuse occurs, including patterns and risks
– Recognising the signs of online abuse, factors that increase vulnerability and barriers to disclosure
– Assessing the risk of online platforms
– Reporting concerns
– Supporting children and young people who have experienced online abuse
– Discussing online safety with children
– IT safety, data protection and online conduct
– Social media use in schools and guidance for staff and volunteers
– Ways to engage parents and carers

Who is it for?
The course is written at an introductory level for people involved in the education, care and safeguarding of children and young people in the UK. It is appropriate for:
– Teachers and educators in primary, secondary and further education
– Designated Safeguarding Leads and school safeguarding teams
– School governors and leadership teams
– IT and network administrators in education settings
– Youth workers and early years practitioners
– Healthcare and social care professionals working with children and young people
– Parents, carers and guardians

It can be used for induction, refresher training, awareness or to enhance existing knowledge.

Practical benefits
– Understand the online risks young people face, such as cyberbullying, harmful content, grooming and exploitation
– Recognise early signs of online harm and abuse
– Know how to report concerns and when to seek advice or escalate
– Support children to use technology responsibly through open conversations
– Understand technical safeguards such as filtering, monitoring and data protection
– Gain evidence of awareness and knowledge for inductions and refresher training
– Receive a CPD-accredited certificate for professional development

What learners will be able to do
– Explain key principles and terminology relating to online safety and harms
– Recognise why the subject matters in day-to-day practice
– Identify common risks, concerns and situations linked to online harm
– Understand individual responsibilities and role boundaries
– Apply good-practice principles in workplace situations
– Communicate effectively with relevant people when issues arise
– Recognise when advice, reporting or escalation is required

Is this training a legal requirement?
The supplied information does not state that this training is a legal requirement. The course does cover key safeguarding legislation and guidance for schools, including the Prevent Duty, and it describes governors and school leaders as having a strategic responsibility to safeguard pupils from online harm. Employers should confirm the safeguarding and online safety training that their own role and setting require.

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete a quiz at the end of the course. On successful completion, they receive a CPD-accredited certificate, which can be downloaded or printed at home for free. A hard copy can also be requested for delivery to a home or work address. Unlimited quiz retakes are included, and the course is allocated instantly after purchase. A complimentary learner management system lets organisations view course progress, quiz results and certification, and a compliance matrix is available to support audits and inspections.