The protection and welfare of children that use this website is the paramount consideration of School Councils UK. Their interests and safety take priority over any editorial or functionality requirement.

This website encourages online networking with other registered members of the School Councils Network, including pupils and students younger than 18 years of age.  We have therefore implemented the below protection procedures.

1. Only individuals within schools that have joined the School Councils Network can gain access to the networking functionality of this site

2. During registration on the website young people are required to confirm that they have secured parental consent to access and use this website

3. Every registered user on the site can be easily removed by the lead teacher in their school.

4. A young person that is a registered member can only receive internal messages from other registered member young people and registered member teachers from within their own school (exception – protection procedure point 6)

5. The profiles of young people can only be viewed by other young people and registered member teachers from within their own school (exception – protection procedure point 6)

6. The only exception to rules 4 and 5 is the ability for selected School Councils UK staff to view the profiles of young people and contact them via the internal messaging function.  (All members of the School Councils UK team are required to pass a Criminal Records Bureau check)

7. The message boards and chat rooms are continually moderated and any offensive or inappropriate comments will be removed

8. All users may, with one click, block any other user from being able to contact them via the website

9. The perpetrator of a minor offence, such as swearing, will receive one warning, with a subsequent offence resulting in them being banned from accessing the website

10. More serious offences, such as harassment or bullying, will result in an immediate ban with no warning

11. School Councils UK will never release any data of any users of this website, both adults and children, without specific prior consent from the individual and their legal guardian

12. Users of the site are encouraged to report any inappropriate content directly to School Councils UK

13. If we have reason to suspect a child may be at risk or we are alerted to a child welfare issue, the case will be immediately and fully investigated, with referral to appropriate agencies where necessary.

If you wish to report any abuse or inappropriate content please e-mail info@schoolcouncil.org or call 0845 456 9429