SafetyNet is the filtering platform for HFL Broadband sites and each school should have been issued with their own set of credentials to access SafetyNet. If a school cannot find their credentials, then we would encourage schools to get in touch with us and we can arrange them being resent.
With the changes to the DfE’s digital and technology standards in 2023 , school staff must be familiar with the SafetyNet portal and know how to run filtering reports. If you need help with this, please get in touch with our Support Team.
Approximately 25% of schools in the UK use this platform – so it is very much tried and tested and you’ll be pleased to hear that this system is compliant with recent KCSIE changes. However, as I mention above, there is now a greater emphasis on schools becoming more actively involved in this, rather than leaving it to run quietly in the background. This means that schools need to manage filtering and monitoring more proactively, as a strategic part of their digital safeguarding responsibilities.
SafetyNet provides effective web filtering for schools and meets all current requirements as set out in the KCSIE guidance. This includes enforced blocking of child abuse and extremist content as well as blocking of pornographic, illegal and a host of other potentially threatening content by default. Additionally, SafetyNet includes viewing browsing activity, reporting, and customisable alerting to support both student safeguarding and prevent duty guidance.
SafetyNet’s URL categorisation identifies huge numbers of new URL’s and changing URL’s on a daily basis – this categorisation is done is many different languages.
SafetyNet also uses filter lists from the IWF (list updated daily) & Counter Terrorism Policing (Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), who sit within the Metropolitan Police Service) – the latter ensure it is PREVENT compliant. This list is updated monthly once a renewed list is received from the CTIRU.
RM also have a large number of their own created filter lists, which are maintained and can be added to.
The above measures ensure that the SafetyNet product is in line with the KCSIE guidelines.