A simple to use online safety tool for parents, Foster Carers, Social Workers, Teachers, Youth Workers etc.

1. Alex Clapson – 25-02-18 alexclapson@yahoo.co.uk 07855 636535
Online Safety Audit
For Foster Carers & their Supervising Social Workers

2. Alex Clapson – 25-02-18 alexclapson@yahoo.co.uk 07855 636535
Control Comments Date
Completed
Parental filters
These control what online content can be accessed through the
internet. Parental filters can be applied at three levels:
1. With the Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Many ISP’s including Virgin, TalkTalk, Sky, BT provide free
parental filters. Check – who is their ISP provider? Apply free
parental filter.
2. At the router – the box your computer connects to the
internet with
Some routers have inbuilt parental filters. Check if the router has
this function – if yes, apply filters & time controls.
3. On the device itself - laptop, mobile phone, tablet,
home computer / P.C. etc.
Have they installed parental control software & if yes, which
one? If not, install software (There are many available
including: Net Nanny & ESET).
Internet time limits
Have time limits & restrictions been set?
If not, according to the age & needs of the child / young person,
set a time limit for internet availability using the parental
filters – For example: 9am until 8pm
Password Security
Have separate passwords for:
 Parental controls / filters
 Banking
 Online shopping
 Social Media (Facebook etc.)
 Email account/s
Have the Foster Carers created separate safe passwords?
Explain the importance of keeping passwords private & never
sharing them. Identity theft is easy once the password is known.
Have the Foster Carers discussed password security with
the child?
Creating strong passwords is easy. Avoid the obvious: any
names within the household including pets. Use a made up word
(not one found in a dictionary word) & include a mix of UPPER
case & lower case letters, numbers & symbols.
There’s also a free password manager – see Lastpass
Have the Foster Carers created strong passwords?
Unsupervised birth family contact
Once children are old enough to have access to Social Media
through mobile phones, tablets, laptops etc. it is almost
impossible to prevent contact between birth families & children
who are looked after.
Regular communication with children regarding their use of
Social Media combined with being ‘friends’ with them online can
help to keep them safe.
Have the Foster Carers discussed the risks with the child?

3. Alex Clapson – 25-02-18 alexclapson@yahoo.co.uk 07855 636535
Check the Care Plan to see what guidance it offers regarding
contact.
Are there any identified risks with unsupervised contact?
What other measures can be put in place?
Public Wi-Fi
Most publicly available Wi-Fi is not filtered (free Wi-Fi in coffee
shops, shops, hotels etc.). You will need to apply parental
controls on devices including tablets & mobile phones.
Separate family accounts
P.C. / Home computer – create separate accounts for each
member of the household & apply filters for each user, allowing
them access to appropriate content.
Have separate accounts been created?
Gaming devices
Many games machines including X-box, PSP / Play Station etc.
are connected to the internet. Filters can be applied at the ISP or
router level.
Have filters been applied?
Not all online gaming is suitable for all ages.
What steps have been taken to ensure that games are age
appropriate?
Tablet devices
When used in the home environment, the home ISP / router can
be set to apply filters. ESET software includes mobile devices
such as phones & tablets.
Have filters been applied?
iPod Touch
This has internet access & may need filters applied.
Have filters been applied?
Mobile phones
Mobile phone network providers will set up Parental Filters on
request.
Have Parental Filters been set up?
Webcams – including those on TV’s
If children have webcams on devices in their bedrooms
(including internet enabled televisions & computers), ensure that
measures are in place to ensure that the cameras are turned off.
Have webcams been turned off?
Communication
The best form of online safety. Foster Carers need to spend time
with the child when they are online.
What time have the Foster Carers allocated for online time
with the child?
Google Alerts
Set up Google Alerts with the names of all members of the
household. When items are posted online about people with that
name, you will be notified.
Have Google Alerts been set up?
Monitoring credential leaks
https://haveibeenpwned.com/ is a website which monitors

4. Alex Clapson – 25-02-18 alexclapson@yahoo.co.uk 07855 636535
credential leaks. Sign up for free with your email addresses &
receive an alert as & when they appear for trade on the
darkweb. Cybercrime is becoming increasing frequent -
criminals hack into a website & steal user account emails &
passwords. They then check if you have reused the password
on a different website so that they can gain access to your data
including credit card & other personal details. The credentials
are often sold on to other criminals for similar purposes.
Use the website to check your email address to see if it has
been stolen before. (Mine was stolen during the LinkedIn breach
& Bitly breach & it was also traded in two different spambot
leaks!)
Is credential leaks monitoring in place?
Don't panic; ensure that passwords aren’t reused - anywhere.
Have the Foster Carers created separate safe passwords for
each of their online accounts?
Anti-virus / Anti-spyware software
Anti-virus & Anti-spyware software can help protect devices
online from hacking / identity theft.
Highly recommend - Comodo Anti-Virus – It’s free & is one of
the best out there (they also do a paid version with more
whistles & bells but the free version is good enough for most
people).
Has Anti-virus / Anti-spyware software been installed?
Cyber Bullying & Online Safety Training
Discuss Cyber Bullying & Online Safety with the Foster Carer.
Has the Foster Carer attended Cyber Bullying training?
Has the Foster Carer attended Online Safety training?
Agreed Actions: By whom & by when?:
Signed: Social Worker Signed: Foster Carer Date