Overview

This course is designed for school staff and professionals working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It explores how these learners access, interpret, and engage with the online world, and considers the specific challenges they may face in digital environments. 

Children with SEND are three times more likely to be abused than their peers (KCSIE). This increased vulnerability extends to the online space, where they may be more at risk of harm, including online exploitation, manipulation, and exposure to inappropriate content.

This course supports staff in understanding these risks and provides practical guidance to help protect learners with SEND and build their digital confidence and resilience. 

Learning Objectives

Participants will: 

• Understand how children and young people with SEND experience and navigate online environments. 
• Identify the online risks that may particularly affect young people with SEND. 
• Learn about inclusive approaches to teach online safety in a way that supports individual needs. 
• Explore how to support learners with SEND to build digital resilience and respond effectively to online safeguarding concerns.