New Safer Schools Scotland app has been launched

The Safer Schools Scotland app, developed by iNEQE Safeguarding Group and funded by Zurich Municipal, is now available to download from Google Play or the App Store by parents and carers of children and young people attending all East Ayrshire establishments.

Our schools have provided parents and carers with information on how to download the app along with an entry code and a QR code. Once the app has been downloaded you can search for the school your child or young person attends and enter the four-digit entry code or just scan the QR Code and within seconds your school profile will be available on the app. Parents and carers can also have more than one school on the app, which is really handy for families with children and young people attending different schools.

The app, which has been designed by safeguarding experts to educate, empower and protect school communities; will provide news, a calendar for events, essential updates and information for parents and carers but also contains vital safeguarding information. The online safety centre will ensure that parents and carers know how to safely support their child or young person’s online activity including learning how to block, report and set safety and privacy settings on popular online platforms like Tik Tok and Snapchat.

All establishments also get access to online safety shareables and resources through award-winning online Teach and Home Learning Hubs.

Councillor Elaine Cowan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, Education and Skills and Culture, who was joined at the launch by Councillors Jim McMahon and Graham Barton, said: “Safer Schools Scotland spent two days in East Ayrshire holding sessions on the new app for Educations Services, parents and carers, representatives from Police Scotland and the EA Health and Social Care Partnership. Colin Stitt from iNEQE talked us through the new app and the importance of teaching our children and young people how to stay safe online.

“The app will be similar to the old school apps where parents and carers will receive key information, school news and have access to a calendar but it also contains safeguarding information that will help to keep our children and young people safe online. 91% of young people use social media platforms and children as young as three are using tablets accessing social media like Tik Tok. It is therefore vital that we are all aware of the dangers, as well as the benefits of being online. Many parents and carers think that because their child or young person is tech savvy that they are also tech safe but that isn’t always the case so it’s important to be informed and aware.

“I would recommend that our parents and carers download the new Safer Schools Scotland app today.”