Ensuring children are safe online and preventing technology-assisted child sexual abuse
InCtrl is a service that is designed to help keep children aged 9- to 13-years-old safe online to prevent technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA). We support children and young people to build digital resilience by helping them recognise the risks they encounter online, promoting their emotional wellbeing and strengthening the supports around them.
The programme is tailored to the individual needs of children and young people. We encourage parents and carers to get involved in the work we do so that we can help them support and protect their child from technology-assisted child sexual abuse.
How it works
InCtrl is a face-to-face group-based programme that helps increase children’s digital resilience, improve their emotional wellbeing and ensure they have effective social and family support networks to help keep them safe.
Through the group sessions, we help children build healthy relationships online and offline. Extra support is in place during and after the sessions for any young people who may need it.
What happens when an organisation makes a referral?
When a referral is made, our practitioners will first make sure the programme is appropriate for the child’s needs. We involve the child’s parents or carers at the outset to ensure they have an understanding of what the programme involves and can help support the child throughout the process.
Group sessions
The groups are made up of 3 to 8 participants. We develop a clear group agreement to make sure children and young people are comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings about topics such as consent, online safety, healthy relationships and self-esteem. The content of the group work is designed to complement curriculum guidance on relationships in all UK nations.
Some of the topics we explore in the group sessions are:
- enjoying life
- friendships and relationships
- building resilience
- social media and online spaces
- dealing with social pressure and expectations
- self-esteem and wellbeing
- online life and life at home
- conversations that make them feel uncomfortable
- safety planning and seeking support.
The programme lasts up to 9 weeks and can be delivered on a one-to-one basis if group work is unsuitable for the child and they require additional support.
Who is InCtrl for?
InCtrl is a preventative programme aimed at children where there are worries about the risks posed to them online. This might be because of previous experiences of adversity or their current circumstances.
We work with children aged between nine and thirteen-years-old as well as parents and carers of the child so that everyone is aware of the potential risks as well as the benefits that exist when being online.
Parents and carers are encouraged to get involved so that they can strengthen the support available to their child, help keep them safe online and protect them from technology-assisted child sexual abuse and other potential dangers.
Please be aware that this is a preventative service, therefore we work with children to help prevent the risk of TA-CSA. Where children may have experienced harm including TA-CSA, we would talk to the family and professionals involved about getting the right support for the child. This might mean signposting the family to a therapeutic service to support the child’s recovery.
Making a referral
To see if InCtrl is delivered in your area or to make a referral, email [email protected]