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Alignment to the Essential Digital Skills Framework from the Department for Education

The Essential Digital Skills Framework from the Department for Education informs the Community Clicks curriculum.

Using a series of ‘I can’ statements, the framework combines digital foundation skills and five further areas of: communicating, handling information and content, transacting, problem solving, and being safe and legal online that deliver digital skills for life.

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Digital foundation skills

These underpin all essential digital skills, and state:

I can:

  • turn on a device
  • use the available controls on my device
  • make use of accessibility tools on my device to make it easier to use
  • interact with the home screen on my device
  • understand that the internet allows me to access information and content and that I can connect to it through Wi-Fi
  • connect my device to a safe and secure Wi-Fi network
  • connect to the internet and open a browser to find and use websites
  • understand that my passwords and personal information need to be kept safely as they have value to others
  • update and change my password when prompted to do so

Communicating (Skills for Life)

The skills required to communicate, collaborate, and share information, building on the digital foundation skills.

I can:

  • understand the importance of communicating securely
  • set up an email account
  • communicate with others digitally using email and other messaging apps
  • use word processing applications to create documents
  • share documents with others by attaching them to an email
  • communicate with friends and family using video tools
  • post messages, photographs, videos or blogs on social media platforms

Handling information and content (Skills for Life)

The skills required to find, manage and store digital information and content securely.

I can:

  • understand that not all online information and content that I see is reliable
  • evaluate what information or content may, or may not, be reliable
  • use search engines to find information and make use of search terms to generate better results
  • use bookmarks to save and retrieve information on my web browser
  • access information and content from different devices
  • understand that the cloud is a way that I can store information and content in a remote location.
  • organise my information and content using files and folders on my device or on the cloud
  • use the internet to legally access content for entertainment including films, music, games and books

Transacting (Skills for Life)

The skills required to register and apply for services, buy and sell goods and services, and administer and manage transactions online.

I can:

  • set up an account online, using appropriate websites or Apps, that enables me to buy goods or services
  • access and use public services online, including filling in forms
  • use different payment systems, such as credit/debit card, direct bank transfer, and phone accounts, to make payments for goods or services online
  • upload documents and photographs when this is required to complete an online transaction
  • fill in online forms when required to complete an online transaction
  • manage my money and transactions online and securely, such as my bank, through the use of websites or apps

Problem solving (Skills for Life)

The skills required to find solutions to problems using digital tools and online services.

I can:

  • use the internet to find information that helps me solve problems
  • use the internet to find sources of help for a range of activities
  • use chat facilities (where available) on websites to help me solve problems
  • use online tutorials, FAQs and advice forums to solve problems and improve my skills in using devices, software and applications

Being safe and legal online (Skills for Life)

The skills required to stay safe, legal and confident online.

I can:

  • respond to requests for authentication for my online accounts and email
  • keep the information I use to access my online accounts secure, using different and secure passwords for websites and accounts
  • set privacy settings on my social media and other accounts
  • identify secure websites by looking for the padlock and https in the address bar
  • recognise suspicious links in email, websites, social media messages and pop ups and know that clicking on these links or downloading unfamiliar attachments could put me and my computer at risk *make sure that any information or content is backed up frequently by making a copy and storing it separately either in the cloud or on an external storage device

Skills for Work

Community Clicks also extends each life skill into employment through an extended series of ‘I can’ statements based on skills for work, such as: 

I can

  • use professional online networks and communities (communicating)
  • search for information requested by a supervisor using browsers such as Chrome, Internet Explorer or Safari (handling information and content)
  • work such as checking out a business competitor (problem solving)

Sponsor a programme

Turn ‘I can’ into ‘we can’, and put the ‘S’ in your CSR and ESG goals by sponsoring one of our programmes and committing to a more digitally inclusive and equitable society.

Sponsorship opportunities
A classroom of older adults learners and teacher learning on a digital skills programme.
Digital Inclusion
community.clicks@communityclicks.org

Impact of digital exclusion for older people

Digital exclusion affects millions of older adults in the UK. 1 in 3 over-65s lack basic digital skills. This digital divide limits access to healthcare, financial services, social participation, and day-to-day tasks.

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March 25, 2025 No Comments