How do I become a member of the council?

If you are interested in becoming a member of the council, please let us know through the "Contact Us" form and include the word "Membership" in the subject.

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 If I or my organisation were to join the council, what would we be asked to do?

All members of UKCCIS give their time, expertise and in some cases resources voluntarily to support the aims of UKCCIS and the wider internet safety agenda. If you feel that your organisation has something to offer you can find out more through the Membership pages on this site or by requesting an application through the "Contact Us" form with the word "membership" in the subject.

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 What role does the Government play in UKCCIS?

The Executive Board of the council is chaired jointly by Ministers from the Department for Education and the Home Office. Secretariat support for the Board and working groups is provided by the DfE. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport, The Home Office, The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the Devolved Administrations are represented on the Board. The Ministry of Justice also provide support and input to policy development discussions.

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 Who are the members of the Executive Board and how are they chosen?

Except in the case of Government representatives, who are nominated by their departments, when a vacancy arises on the Board the Chairs will seek nominations from the other members of the Board and wider council. The final decision on who to appoint to the Board is made by the Ministers who chair the Board.

Current members of the Board are:

Joe Godwin, BBC

Richard Allan, Facebook

Mike Galvin, BT

Peter Robbins, Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

Sonia Livingstone, London School of Economics (LSE)

Mary MacLeon, Independent family policy advisor

Matt Lambert, Microsoft

Elizabeth Kanter, Research in Motion/Blackberry

Ian Walden, Queen Mary’s University College London

Mike Short, O2

John Carr, Children’s Charities Coalition for Internet Safety (CHIS)

Mike Rawlinson, UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE)

John Grounds, NSPCC

Niel McLean, Independent educational publications policy advisor

Chris Woolard, Ofcon

Peter Davies, Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)

Jon Zeff, DCMS

Jeanette Pugh, DfE

Rachael Clark, BIS

Chris Burdett, Welsh Assembly Government

Phil Raines, Scottish Government

Pat McGlew, Northern Ireland 

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 Are UKCCIS members or Executive Board members paid for their participation in the Council?

No, these are unpaid positions. UKCCIS is delighted that so many senior figures are able to dedicate their time to the Board and this demonstrates members’ personal and professional commitment to the safety of children and young people online.

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 Who are the Board champions and project leads, how can I express my interest in a project?

Board champions are agreed by the Board and are Board members and the Board champions then select the most appropriate project lead.

The project group pages feature more specific information about the remit and members of each group.

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 How is the work of the Council funded?

The work of UKCCIS is self-funding – members either directly fund or provide support in kind to all work carried out by the Council.

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 Where can I find information about how to keep my child safe online?

For general advice to parents and children about staying safe online, please visit Directgov or CEOP's “Think U Know?”

For advice and support relating to cyberbullying, please visit Beatbullying’s “Cybermentors”website.

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 Where can I find information for schools about internet safety?

Safer Internet website - The Safer Internet Centre is funded by the European Commission to provide a Helpline for professionals working with children and young people in the UK. Specifically tackling the area of e-safety, providing support for all aspects of digital and online issues such as social networking sites, cyber-bullying, sexting, online gaming and child protection online.

Childnet Safer Internet Centre - Promoting the positive, and highlighting the creative and inspiring ways, children and young people are using the medium for good. Also ways the international community have responded to the negative aspects and dangers for children.

CEOP’s “Think U Know” for schools - Teaching resources that  encourage young people to have fun with new technology, whilst staying in control of the risks. Importantly, tell young people where to go if they have any concerns.

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 Where can I find materials featuring the "Zip it, Block it, Flag it" Digital Code?

Materials featuring the Code can be downloaded from the “Resources for Schools” project group page which also gives details of how hardcopy materials can be ordered.

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 Will UKCCIS or the Government endorse my idea/product/website designed to enhance online safety for children?

UKCCIS works collectively to help keep children safe online. If you feel that your organisation can contribute towards this aim, you are invited to join UKCCIS – please let us know via the "Contact Us" form.

Although we welcome information about activity being undertaken to keep children and young people safe online, as UKCCIS is co-ordinated from within a Government department we are unable to endorse any particular product or service over another.

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 What are the other ways that my organisation can help keep children safe online?

UKCCIS has produced guidance to the providers of online services that are used by children and young people. These can be downloaded from the Self Regulation of Industry project group page.

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 Are you trying to censor the internet?

Absolutely not. The work of UKCCIS focuses on creating a safer online environment through self regulation of industry alongside educating parents and children about how to keep themselves safer online. The Coalition Government believes that keeping children safe online is something for which responsibility should be shared and works to achieve this through the collaborative approach of the Council.

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