Using Push Notifications

Using Push Notifications

Push Notifications can be sent to your App users to help direct their attention when you want it in real time! Maybe you've made a change to the school calendar, want your staff to complete a digital test, or your parents to see a resource you want share about Social Media Safety Settings.

They appear just like a notification you might receive from any app on your phone like Instagram or Whatsapp. But how do you make them, and how do you use them? Remember, they're not a text message, but a gentle nudge to users to prompt a desired action.

Push Notifications are created, viewed and sent from your Safer Schools NI Web Management Portal. Users can find any notifications they've missed or want to revisit by clicking the notification bell icon at the top of their screen throughout the App.

IdeaNote that only Account Admins can create and send Push Notifications. If you need to add additional admins to help with this, find out how to here 👈🏻

Creating a Push Notification

STEP 1 Once logged into your App Portal, select 'Push Notifications' on the menuthen select 'Create Push Notifications.'


STEP 2 At the top of this page, you're able to select which audience you'd like to send your notification to. You can send to 'Selected Audience' by ticking which roles in the App you'd like to see your notification. Remember to consider the content of the Push Notification if choosing to send to pupils.

IdeaIf you're attempting to push to content within the App that is role specific, such as an article in the News Builder or a Survey, roles will automatically be assigned to your Push Notification. You won't be able to send the content to a role that can't already see it.

STEP 3 Next, give your Notification a Title and a Body. The title should draw attention, whilst the body should offer a little more information. The title has a character limit of 40, and the body 200, so keep them brief and to-the-point!

IdeaUnsure? If you need help on what makes a good Push Notification click 👉🏻 here

STEP 4 Scroll down and chose where you want to direct the user within the Safer Schools NI App. You'll notice these all lead to difference sections of your App. In some cases, you'll have the option to paste a link, in others it will be as simple as heading to the assigned section.


IdeaNote that pathways available with depend on the role selected to receive the Notification. If selected a staff/safeguarding lead role, you'll see further options.

If you don't know where to start using push notifications, have a look at our Push Notification Map for some inspiration to get you started! This will trigger an automatic download.

Sending Your Notification

Once you've added all of the above details, it's time to send your Push notifications. This is done at the bottom of the Create Push Notification page where it says Schedule. You have two options here:

NOW: This will send your notification to your App users immediately. Once the NOW option is selected, click Send at the bottom.

LATER: This will allow you to queue your notification for a later time in the day or even on another date. This allows you to queue all of your notifications for the week on the Monday for example. Once you've selected the date and time, click Schedule at the bottom.

Viewing your Notifications

Once they're sent/scheduled, you're able to view past and pending Push Notifications by clicking View Push Notifications under Push notifications in the left hand sidebar on the portal.

You have a number of filter options too. This is at the top of your View Push Notifications screen. You're able to filter your notifications by datecontents (such as title, or body of the notification), sendertype or exact date. Here, you're also able to View or Delete previous notifications.

Notes

Still need help?

Our Service Desk Specialists are always here to answer any questions you may have and provide you with any support you need.

Contact the Safer Schools NI support Service Desk using the contact details below.
📰 Check out our other support articles
📹 Take a look at our instructional videos
📞 Phone: 02896005777
💻 Website: Visit Safer Schools NI and use the Live Chat

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