Policy on Mobile Phone Use

1.2. BCW Training has established the following Acceptable Use Policy for mobile phones that provides staff guidelines and instructions for the appropriate use of mobile phones whilst learners are on the premises of BCW Training.

1.3. Learners, their parents/guardians must read and understand the Acceptable Use Policy before learners are given permission to bring mobile phones to BCW Training.

1.4. The Acceptable Use Policy for mobile phones also applies to learners during any extra-curricular activities.

3.2. Learners are responsible for keeping BCW Training informed of their current mobile phone number.

4.2. Mobile phones should not be used in any manner or place that is disruptive to the normal routine of BCW Training.

4.3. Learners should protect their phone numbers by only giving them to friends and keeping a note of who they have given them to. This can help protect the learner’s number from falling into the wrong hands and guard against the receipt of insulting, threatening or unpleasant voice, text and picture messages.

4.4. BCW Training recognises the importance of emerging technologies present in modern mobile phones e.g. camera and video recording, internet access, MP3 and MP4 playback, blogging etc. Tutors may wish to utilise these functions to aid teaching and learning and learners may have the opportunity to use their mobile phones in the classroom. On these occasions learners may use their mobile phones in the classroom when express permission has been given by the tutor.

5.2. The Bluetooth function of a mobile phone must be switched off at all times and not be used to send images or files to other mobile phones.

5.3. Mobile phones must not disrupt classroom lessons with ringtones, music or beeping.

5.4. Using mobile phones to bully and threaten other learners is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. In some cases it can constitute criminal behaviour.

5.5. It is forbidden for learners to “gang up” on another learner and use their mobile phones to take videos and pictures of acts to denigrate and humiliate that learner and then send the pictures to other learners or upload it to a website for public viewing. This also includes using mobile phones to photograph or film any learner without their consent. It is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person and almost all calls, text messages and emails can be traced.

5.6. Mobile phones are not to be used or taken into, for example, toilets or used in any situation that may cause embarrassment or discomfort to their fellow learners, staff or visitors to BCW Training.

5.7. Should there be repeated disruptions to lessons caused by a mobile phone, the learner responsible may face disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the staff of BCW Training.

6.2. Learners who bring a mobile phone to BCW Training are responsible for the safety of that phone.  To reduce the risk of theft during training hours, learners who carry mobile phones are advised to keep them well concealed and not ‘advertise’ they have them.

6.3. Mobile phones that are found on our premises and whose owner cannot be located should be handed to a member of the administration staff or any other member of staff.

6.4. BCW Training accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.

6.5. BCW Training accepts no responsibility for learners who lose or have their mobile phones stolen while travelling to and/or from our premises.

6.6. It is strongly advised that learners use passwords/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other learners, or if stolen). Learners must keep their password/pin numbers confidential. Mobile phones and/or passwords may not be shared.

6.7. Lost and stolen mobile phones in the U.K. can be blocked across all networks making them virtually worthless because they cannot be used.

7.2. Any learner who uses vulgar, derogatory, or obscene language while using a mobile phone will face disciplinary action as sanctioned by the Manager.

7.3. Learners with mobile phones may not engage in personal attacks, harass another person, or post private information about another person using SMS messages, taking/sending photos or objectionable images, and phone calls. Learners using mobile phones to bully other learners will face disciplinary action as sanctioned by the Manager.

[It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person. As such, if action as sanctioned by the Manager is deemed ineffective, as with all such incidents, BCW Training may consider it appropriate to involve the police.]

8.2. On the first infringement of this policy the mobile phone would be confiscated by the member of staff and taken to a secure place e.g. the administration office.  The learner will be able to collect the mobile phone at the end of the day and a record will be made of the incident. A letter will also be sent to the parent/guardian to inform them of the incident. The location and form of the secure place will be one deemed appropriate by the management team.

8.3. On the second infringement the mobile phone would be confiscated by the member of staff and taken to a secure place e.g. the administration office. Parents/guardians will be notified and the learner will not be permitted to collect the phone without a parent/guardian’s consent. If a parent/guardian is unable to attend BCW Training they are permitted to phone and give verbal consent for their child to collect the phone and must speak to a member of the management team.  The incident will be recorded.

8.4. On the third infringement the mobile phone would be confiscated by a member of staff and taken to a secure place e.g. the administration office.  Parents will be notified and the learner will not be permitted to collect the phone without a parent/guardian present. After the third infringement BCW Training will withdraw the permission to allow the learner to bring the mobile telephone to our premises.

8.5. As set out in the previous section, failure to heed the rules set out in this document may result in an alleged incident being referred to the police for investigation. In such cases, the parent/guardian would be notified immediately.