🛡️ Policy Statement
[Your Name], trading as [Business Name], is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people in my care. The welfare of the child is paramount. This policy applies to all tutoring — in-person, online, and group sessions.
1. Scope and Purpose
This policy applies to all tutoring services delivered by [Your Name] to students under the age of 18. It sets out how I identify, report, and respond to safeguarding concerns, and the safe working practices I follow in all sessions.
This policy is informed by:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024 — statutory guidance for schools and settings with children
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 — HM Government guidance
- The Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
- The Education Act 2002, s.175 duty to safeguard
- ICO guidance on children's data under UK GDPR
2. DBS and Vetting
[Your Name] holds an Enhanced DBS certificate with barred list checks:
Certificate number: [DBS Certificate Number]
Date of issue: [DBS Issue Date]
Update Service registered: [Yes / No]
Verify online at: gov.uk/dbs-update-service (with certificate holder's consent)
The DBS certificate is renewed every [2 / 3] years or immediately upon any change in circumstances that requires re-checking. Any agency, school, or parent may request sight of this certificate.
3. Safeguarding Training
Safeguarding training completed by [Your Name]:
| Training | Provider | Date completed | Renewal due |
|---|
| Safeguarding Children Level [1 / 2] |
[Provider, e.g. NSPCC / First4Skills] |
[Date] |
[Date] |
| [Additional training, if any] |
[Provider] |
[Date] |
[Date] |
4. Safe Working Practices — In-Person Sessions
- Sessions are conducted in a room visible to a parent or other responsible adult
- The session location, start time, and expected finish time are always communicated to a parent or guardian in advance
- I do not conduct sessions in a child's bedroom or any space not known to and approved by a parent
- Physical contact is limited to what is educationally appropriate (e.g. guiding a pen hold) and only with visible parental knowledge
- I carry my DBS summary letter to all first sessions and make it available to parents on request
5. Safe Working Practices — Online Sessions
- A parent or responsible adult is in the building during all online sessions with under-18 students
- Sessions are not recorded without prior written parental consent (see Parental Consent Form)
- All communications with students outside scheduled session times are via the parent or guardian, not directly with the child
- I use a professional platform ([Zoom / Google Meet / Teams]) with a waiting room enabled — no student is admitted early
- I do not accept social media friend or follow requests from under-18 students
- I do not communicate with students via personal messaging apps or personal social media accounts
6. Recognising Signs of Abuse or Neglect
I am alert to indicators of the four categories of abuse defined in Working Together 2023:
- Physical abuse — unexplained injuries, bruising, or the child flinching from contact
- Emotional abuse — persistent low self-esteem, fear, anxiety, or statements of worthlessness
- Sexual abuse — age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, withdrawal, or concerning disclosures
- Neglect — persistently poor hygiene, hunger, inadequate clothing for conditions, frequent tiredness
I am also alert to indicators of child criminal exploitation (CCE), child sexual exploitation (CSE), and online abuse.
7. Responding to a Disclosure
If a child discloses abuse or makes a concerning statement:
- Listen calmly — do not interrupt, probe, or ask leading questions
- Tell the child they have done the right thing by telling me
- Do not promise confidentiality — explain I may need to tell someone who can help
- Record exactly what was said, in the child's own words, as soon as possible after
- Contact the relevant authority (see Section 8) without delay
I will never:
- Investigate the allegation myself
- Confront an alleged abuser
- Promise to keep the matter secret
- Delay reporting because I am not certain the concern is well-founded
8. Reporting Procedure
Where I have a concern about the welfare of a child, I will:
- In an emergency — call 999 immediately
- Non-emergency concern — contact [Local Authority] Children's Services on [LA phone number]
- NSPCC Helpline — 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7)
- Childline — 0800 1111 (for the child to contact directly if appropriate)
- Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) — if a concern involves me or another adult working with children: [LADO contact details]
My local authority: [Local Authority Name]
Children's Services: [Phone number]
LADO: [LADO name and contact]
I will inform the parent or guardian that a referral has been made, unless doing so could put the child at greater risk or compromise a police investigation.
9. Record Keeping
All safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and actions taken are recorded in writing within 24 hours and stored securely. Records are kept for a minimum of [7 / 10] years and are not destroyed without taking advice from the local authority. Records are held separately from general business files.
10. Allegations Against Me
If a parent, guardian, or student has a concern about my conduct, they should:
- Contact me directly in the first instance at [Your Email Address]
- If the concern relates to possible abuse, contact the LADO in [Local Authority] at [LADO contact]
- Contact the DBS if they believe I should be barred from working with children: [email protected] or 01325 953 795
I will cooperate fully with any investigation and will not contact the child or family during an active investigation without guidance from the relevant authority.
11. Online Safety
For online-delivered tutoring, I follow the UK Safer Internet Centre guidance and ensure:
- All platforms used have appropriate age-verification and privacy settings enabled
- I am aware of the risks of screen sharing (ensure no personal files or sensitive information are visible)
- Parents are made aware of which platform is used and can observe sessions
- If I become aware of a child being subjected to online abuse or exploitation, I report it to the CEOP Command (ceop.police.uk) and the parent immediately
12. Policy Review
This policy is reviewed annually, or following any safeguarding incident, or when statutory guidance is updated.
| Version | Date | Change summary |
|---|
| 1.0 | [Date] | Initial policy |
| | | |