Using external visitors to support online safety

What is it?

This non-statutory advice provides guidance for educational settings on making informed decisions regarding the engagement of external visitors to deliver online safety education.

  • Why you might choose to engage an external visitor
  • When not to use external visitors
  • Selecting appropriate external visitors
  • Expectations of external visitors
  • Ensuring effective use, including guidance on one-off events, group size, resources and avoiding ‘scare/shock tactics’
  • Safeguarding considerations

You will also find a checklist of key questions that will help you to ensure the maximum impact of online safety sessions.

This document was published by the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS), and should be read alongside the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance.

How to use it

Use the guidance and checklist to:

  • Review your online safety provision and use of external visitors
  • Determine the suitability of external visitors you are considering work with
  • Facilitate conversations with external visitors in preparation for their visit

A template booking form is included to help you to set out your expectations and requirements.

Who can use it

Education setting leaders, managers, designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and relevant curriculum leaders can use this guidance to help make informed decisions.

Where to find it

Download the guidance here