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.