1. Our Commitment

Tuition by Teachers Limited is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child we work with. We believe that all children have the right to learn in a safe, secure and supportive environment, free from harm, abuse or exploitation.

This policy applies to all tuition services delivered by Tuition by Teachers Limited, including private tuition, group tuition and all online interactions with students and their families.

2. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Tuition by Teachers Limited is Stephanie. Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to her in the first instance at info@tuitionbyteachers.com.

If a concern relates to Stephanie directly, or if you feel a concern has not been handled appropriately, please contact your local authority’s children’s services or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

3. DBS Checks and Vetting

Stephanie holds a current Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. She is fully referenced and ID verified. No tuition session will ever be delivered by an unvetted individual.

Any future members of staff or tutors engaged by Tuition by Teachers Limited will be required to hold an Enhanced DBS certificate before working with any student.

4. Online Safety

All tuition sessions are delivered online via Zoom. The following measures are in place to ensure the safety of all students during online sessions:

Sessions are conducted via Zoom using a secure meeting link shared directly with the parent or guardian
Sessions are not recorded without the explicit consent of the parent or guardian
We recommend that a parent or guardian is present in the home during all sessions, particularly for younger children
Stephanie will never request to communicate with a student directly outside of scheduled sessions
All communication regarding sessions takes place between Stephanie and the parent or guardian, not directly with the child

If a parent or guardian has any concerns about online safety during sessions they should contact us immediately at info@tuitionbyteachers.com.

5. Recognising and Reporting Concerns

Tuition by Teachers Limited takes all safeguarding concerns seriously. If Stephanie observes or suspects that a child may be at risk of harm, abuse or neglect during the course of delivering sessions, she will:

Record the concern clearly and factually
Not investigate the concern herself or question the child directly
Report the concern to the appropriate local authority children’s services or the police if there is immediate risk of harm
Contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for guidance if required

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to report any concerns about their child’s wellbeing or safety to us at info@tuitionbyteachers.com. All concerns will be taken seriously and handled with sensitivity and confidentiality.

6. Responsibilities

Stephanie’s responsibilities:

Familiarise herself with and adhere to this safeguarding policy at all times
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all students
Never meet a student in person without a parent or guardian present
Report any safeguarding concerns promptly and appropriately
Complete safeguarding training regularly and stay up to date with best practice

Parent and guardian responsibilities:

Ensure their child is in a safe and appropriate environment during online sessions
Monitor their child’s online activity and wellbeing
Report any concerns about their child’s safety or wellbeing to us promptly
Communicate with us if they have any concerns about the conduct of sessions

7. Confidentiality

All safeguarding concerns and disclosures will be handled with sensitivity and confidentiality. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis and where it is in the best interests of the child’s safety and wellbeing. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where there is a risk of harm to a child.

8. Useful Contacts

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free, 24 hours)
Childline: 0800 1111 (for children and young people)
Local Authority Children’s Services: contact your local council
Police: 999 in an emergency, 101 for non-emergency
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk

For reference, the Government’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) document is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2

9. Review

This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are changes in legislation, guidance or our operating practices. The current version will always be available on our website at tuitionbyteachers.com.

10. Contact

For any safeguarding concerns or questions about this policy please contact us at info@tuitionbyteachers.com.