Protecting students in the digital space is now a major responsibility of those tasked with safeguarding children. As a result, designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) may find that their roles demand an increasing level of technical knowledge.
Since 2023, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) requires DSLs to have an “understanding [of] the filtering [...] systems and processes in place” at their school, college or MAT. This article covers the 4 things DSLs need to know about web filtering to meet their statutory obligations.
Web filters prevent students from visiting sites or web pages that are considered to be harmful or inappropriate. This includes online content that is illegal, or involves themes such as extremism, pornography, violence, discrimination, self-harm or substance abuse.
You can think of web filters as a playground fence - they protect students from running out into spaces where they may encounter risks, and stop potentially dangerous influences from entering. Importantly, though, they are not impenetrable walls. They still allow for the movement of traffic inside and out so that the school can function effectively.
The Department for Education (DfE) states in its Filtering and Monitoring Standards that a web filter must “block harmful and inappropriate content, without unreasonably impacting teaching and learning.” In other words, web filters are not just a tool designed to block. They should enable students to have safe and productive online educational experiences.
There are two main approaches to web filtering:
1. Agent web filters
An agent web filter is installed onto school-managed devices. This option is useful in contexts where devices may be taken off school grounds, as agent web filters will maintain protection no matter what network the device is connected to.
One of the downsides of agent-based web filtering is that it tends to involve more work for IT teams, as the software will need to be installed on each device individually. This can be laborious in large settings like MATs or big colleges.
2. Network web filters
A network web filter is applied directly to an organisation’s network. For example, it will sit between a school’s network and the internet, mediating anything that attempts to pass through. This approach ensures that any devices connected to the school’s network are subject to web filtering, which can be particularly useful for settings that implement a BYOD policy.
A drawback of network web filtering is that devices are no longer protected when they are disconnected from the school network or taken off school grounds.
Most reputable web filter vendors will offer both agent and network filtering, or a combination of the two.
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 states that DSLs should take lead responsibility for safeguarding, “including online safety” and “understanding the filtering and monitoring systems and processes in place.” This means you should be aware of whether your setting implements an agent or a network web filter, for example.
The DfE’s Filtering and Monitoring Standards provide more details on a DSL’s role in web filtering, explaining that they are responsible for:
Filtering reports offer useful data for DSLs. They highlight search behaviours of specific individuals or groups, which can be used to support incident investigations or identify issues that need to be addressed by the school curriculum.
Taking lead responsibility for online safety also involves communicating the rationale behind web filtering to the wider school community. Students, staff and parents all need to understand online risks, why web filtering is in place, and how to identify and report any concerns in this area.
DSLs can work with headteachers and governors to establish filtering policies and organise online safety training and guidance for those who are subject to them.
| You can learn more about web filtering roles and responsibilities and what schools, colleges and MATs are expected to have in place in our article Web Filtering Questions Ofsted May Ask You During an Inspection (and Why) |
While responsibility for selection and implementation ultimately lies with governing bodies, IT teams and proprietors, DSLs can play a significant role in ensuring that “their school or college has appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place and regularly review their effectiveness” (KCSIE, 2024).
KCSIE asserts that establishing appropriate web filtering is “a matter for individual schools and colleges” to decide. There are 4 main types of web filters used in UK education, and deciding which is right for your school involves carrying out risk assessments. A DSL’s strong knowledge of student needs and vulnerabilities will be integral to this process.
For example, if a school has a wide range of age groups and older students require access to content that may not be suitable for those in lower years, it should select a web filter with granular controls that allow tailored policies to be applied to different groups.
To learn more about what’s required of a web filter, and how to select the right type for your setting, consult the Appropriate Filtering Guide from the UK Safer Internet Centre.
DSLs are not expected to complete their filtering duties alone. Once a system is deployed, maintaining effective web filtering “requires the specialist knowledge of both safeguarding and IT staff” (DfE).
DSLs should work together with IT Managers to:
Web filters are designed to make the lives of DSLs easier, not harder. While the growing digital knowledge required of the role can be daunting, once effective web filtering is in place, safeguarding leads can gain peace of mind from the fact that both students and networks are protected from potentially harmful content.
Smoothwall Filter protects 1 in 3 UK schools and remains the only web filter to provide 100% real-time filtering - removing any potential for children to see harmful content, no matter how recently it went live. Designed with the needs of DSLs and ITs in mind, it allows you to easily generate illuminating reports, tailor controls to your setting’s specific needs and rest assured that students can enjoy productive online learning experiences while benefiting from the highest level of protection.