To the Tutors

Safeguarding Policy

To the Tutors – OUR SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1 ABOUT OUR ORGANISATION

(1) We are To the Tutors.

(2) Our Contact Details

Our email address is info@tothetutors.com

Our telephone number is 07852362020

Our website is athttps://tothetutors.com

2 OUR SAFEGUARDING POLICY

(1) What is Safeguarding?

(a) The NSPCC have defined safeguarding as "the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm”. Safeguarding means:

· protecting children from abuse and maltreatment

· preventing harm to children’s health or development

· ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care

· taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

(b) The NSPCC also clarify that "child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.”

(2) Basic Safeguarding Principles

In line with the NSPCC, we believe and recognise that:

· the welfare of children and young people, is paramount in everything we do, including the decisions we make or endorse,

· all children and young people regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse and that they should never experience abuse of any kind,

· we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to make sure that tutoring is provided in a way that protects them,

· some children and young people are particularly vulnerable, for example, because of their level of dependency, previous experiences, communication and other additional needs and need extra safeguards.

· we will work with children, young people, their parents, guardians and carers, tutors, those who we work with or work for us, and any other organisations to help stop and also to promote the welfare of children and young people.

(3) The Aim of this Policy

We are committed to providing a safe environment for students to engage with tutoring and the aim of this policy is to

· help protect children and young people who work with us from any harm.

· empower and ensure those involved understand our safeguarding procedures.

· explain what steps we take in relation to safeguarding so that we are transparent and accountable.

(4) Basis of our Policy

Our policy is based on the law, policy and guidance which aims to protect children in England and Wales. You can find out more about this by visiting NSPCC Child protection system in the UK and Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK

(5) Who does this policy apply to?

Without exception, this policy applies to anyone working with or on behalf of our organisation.

3 OUR SAFEGUARDING LEAD

(1) Our Safeguarding Lead

We have appointed an individual who is responsible as our Safeguarding Lead and who will support, advice and help with any safeguarding issues. Please also see section 3(2)below.

(a) Our Safeguarding Lead is Caroline Ojok whom you can contact if you need any help or information about this policy or about any safeguarding issues. We advise that you contact our Safeguarding Lead by phone if you have an urgent issue.

(b) Safeguarding Lead Contact Details –

By Email: tothetutors@outlook.com

By Phone: 07852362020

(2) What our Safeguarding Lead does

The Safeguarding Lead

· Provides information, support and advise on safeguarding and child protection within our organisation and will take the lead in dealing with any safeguarding issues.

· Will contact the relevant authorities and organisations to take advice, information and deal with any safeguarding issues.

· Maintain information and records relating to safeguarding issues.

4 OUR SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

We aim to keep children and young people safe by:

(1) Understanding our responsibility for safeguarding and being committed to carrying those out by providing access to information, developing, implementing and monitoring effective policies, procedures and guidance and helping everybody who works for or with us to understand and follow those procedures.

(2) Treating all students, children, young people and their families, guardians, carers and everyone who works with and for us with respect and without prejudice or discrimination.

(3) Appointing a Safeguarding Lead who will support, advice and help with any safeguarding issues.

(4) Valuing, respecting and listening to children and young people.

(5) Creating a safeguarding culture where children, young people and their families, guardians, carers and everyone who works with and for us treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing issues and concerns.

(6) Safe recruitment/appointment, including confirming identity, criminal background checks/DBS and other relevant checks and references.

(7) Safe collection, use and storage of personal and safeguarding data.

(8) Sharing safeguarding and good practice.

(9) Having effective procedures to appropriately deal with allegations and complaints and, where applicable to involve and work with the police and any other relevant protection and/or enforcement organisations.

5 GENERAL SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

(1) We, children, young people, their parents, guardians and carers, tutors, those who we work with or work for us have obligations and responsibilities when it comes to safeguarding, including particular risks associated with online tutoring and mental health.

(2) As professionals, we ask all tutors to abide by the relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance, and policies and section 6 of this policy.

(3) As students, parents, guardians, carers and other appropriate adults we ask you to abide by the relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance, and policies and section 7 of this policy.

(4) As described in our Working Together Policy, we always advise tutors and parents/clients to take advantage of the resources available online from the NSPCC. In particular, parents should review the Finding a tutor for your child section on the NSPCC website.

(5) Please also refer to the

(a)Introduction To The Types Of Issues We Need To Protect From at Schedule 1 of this policy and

(b) Online Safety Sessions Guide at Schedule 2 of this policy.

6 SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES OF TUTORS AND THOSE WHO WORK FOR AND WITH US

Tutors are not our employees and are solely responsible for their own actions . However, we ask all tutors and those who work with as well as for us to, as applicable to their role,

(1) Recognise and comply with their responsibilities by developing and maintaining awareness of safeguarding and issues which can cause harm to children and young people, including

(a) Undertaking NSPCC or equivalent training in relation to Safeguarding and Child Behaviours such as Child protection training for tutors | NSPCC Learning and other courses at

NSPCC elearning: online courses | NSPCC Learning.

(b) Regularly reading Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK

(d) Taking appropriate care when conducting sessions, including by

(i) setting rules known as Session Ground Rules for all sessions. You can find more information about our suggestions for Session Ground Rules in Schedule 2 and

(ii) complying with our Online Safety Sessions Guide at Schedule 2 of this policy.

You can include anything else that you feel is applicable within your organisation.

(2) Treat all students, children, young people and their families, guardians, carers and everyone who works with and for us treat each other with respect and without prejudice or discrimination.

(3) Ensure that they work in a safe environment and take all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination, and demeaning treatment and to respect their rights.

(4) Work with all students, children, young people and their families, guardians, carers, other tutors, those who we work with or work for us, and any other organisations to help stop and also to promote the welfare of children and young people.

(5) Ensure that any message/communication and resources which they make available are appropriate to the relevant children and young people and that they are appropriate to their role as a tutor, always ensuring that they are never defamatory, offensive or illegal or likely to cause any distress, harm or concern.

(6) (a) Immediately (within a maximum of 12 hours) contact the Safeguarding Lead regarding any allegations, concerns or complaints relating to any safeguarding issue whatsoever. For the avoidance of any doubt this should also include any

(i) concerns about safeguarding within the organisation, including, but not limited to poor or unsafe practice and potential failures.

(ii) any information whatsoever which may impact on their suitability to tutor.

(b) However, where any allegation, concern or complaint or issue relates to the Safeguarding Lead, this should be raised with Caroline Ojok by phone to 07852362020 or emailing info@tothetutors.com immediately, again, within a maximum of 12 hours.

(7) Where a Tutor feels unable to raise an issue with us or feels that we have not dealt with it then they should contact the NSPCC on 0800 800 5000 (line is usually available from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday), or email them at help@nspcc.org.uk or complete their report abuse online form.

(8) For information about how we handle Safeguarding issues, concerns and complaints please see section 8 following.

7 SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM

(1) In this section, the word Guardian includes any parent, carer, guardian, teacher or other appropriate adult who supports the student (the person we are tutoring) who is under 18 or is otherwise a vulnerable person.

(2) Where the student is aged 18 or over and is not otherwise a vulnerable person, then they are responsible for complying with this section. Otherwise the Guardian will make sure that both they and the student consent to the tutoring and are fully aware of the following and that they comply with them at all times:

(a) this Safeguarding Policy, including reporting procedures

(b) the Tutor’s Session Ground Rules

(c) how to recognise any form of inappropriate communication or behaviour. We recommend that you use resources available from the NSPCC.

(3) The student and Guardian will make sure that every session takes place in a safe and appropriate environment and understand that they are responsible for that student’s welfare at all times.

(4) The student and Guardian will make sure that all personal and contact details for the Student and Guardian are kept up to date.

(5) (a) The Guardian of a student who is under 18 or aged 18 or over and who is a vulnerable person will make sure that they are present at the

(i) start of each session and identify themselves on camera and

(ii) end of each session.

(b) The Guardian should also be available during the sessions times so that the student can immediately raise any concerns to them.

(6) A student should immediately raise any issues or concerns regarding an individual tutor, tutoring session, inappropriate communication, our organisation or any other issues with

(a) their Guardian and/or

(b) us either by calling using the Appointed Person’s details in section 1(5) above.

Any delay could prejudice the safety and welfare of a student.

(7) A Guardian should immediately raise any issues or concerns regarding an individual tutor, tutoring session, inappropriate communication, our organisation or any other issues with us, either by calling using the Safeguarding Lead’s details in section 3(1) above.

Please do not delay because this could prejudice the safety and welfare of a student.

(8) (a) For information about how we handle Safeguarding issues, concerns and complaints please see section 8 following.

(b) For information about how we handle general issues, concerns and complaints please see our Complaints Policy.

8 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN, COMPLAINT OR ALLEGATION IS MADE

In this section, the word Guardian includes any parent, carer, guardian, teacher or other appropriate adult who supports the student.

(1) What are Safeguarding Issues and how are they reported to us?

We use the words Safeguarding Issue or Safeguarding Issues to include all and any safeguarding concerns, complaints or allegations. or Safeguarding Issues will usually be reported in a number of ways including, but not limited to:

(a) A tutor’s behaviour

(b) A student’s behaviour (including behaving unusually)

(d) A student disclosure

(e) Evidence of physical harm, such as bruising etc

(2) What does a Safeguarding Lead do?

As soon as an Issue is raised with the Safeguarding Lead they will

(a) Act appropriately and in in an objective and proportional way whilst always making sure that the welfare and interest of the child or young person is paramount. For example, where a child or young person is in immediate danger etc, they will contact the police and/or relevant authorities immediately.

(b) Obtain as much information that they need to fully investigate the Safeguarding Issue.

(c) Always fully investigate the matter by considering all the factors and information available. They will also make sure that any investigation and intervention is as unobtrusive as possible as appropriate to the circumstances.

(d) Fully record the Safeguarding Issue and all of the steps taken whilst understanding that these may be used as evidence, including in criminal cases.

(e) Will always fully support anyone who raises a Safeguarding Issue in good faith.

(3) Types/category of Safeguarding Issues

Safeguarding Issues are categorised by the Safeguarding Lead as to the type of behaviour and determining what further action may need to be taken. The categories are:

(a) Serious Incident

This occurs when

· a child or young person is at risk of or has experienced significant harm

· a crime has been committed

· the reputation of an individual or this organisation is at risk.

(b) Low Level Safeguarding or welfare Concern

This is a Safeguarding Issue which means that

· A student’s welfare must be monitored

· Someone, such as a Guardian, has shared a student’s particular needs with us and asked us to provide support.

· It is something which can be dealt with immediately and will not require any ongoing monitoring or support

4) Steps which a Safeguarding Lead takes once a Safeguarding Issue has been raised?

Dependant on the Safeguarding Issue raised the Safeguarding Lead may take one or more of the following steps:

(a) Contacting the NSPCC and/our legal representative for where the Safeguarding Lead feels that they need support and/advice.

(b) Immediately referring to the authorities which may include the police and Social Care Services/child protection authorities particularly when a child or young person is at risk of or has suffered harm.

(d) Contacting the Guardian where the Safeguarding Issue is not any form of issue or allegation which relates to the Guardian or their conduct (for example another student’s behaviour).

(e) Where the Safeguarding Issue relates to the conduct of a tutor then,

(i) the student will be offered a transfer to another tutor and/or

(ii) for the safety of everybody concerned, their current Job assignments and any tutoring sessions scheduled may be immediately suspended until the investigation has been completed.

(f) Where the Safeguarding Issue relates to the conduct of a tutor or anyone who works with or for our organisations then the Safeguarding Lead may refer the matter to theDisclosure and Barring Service in accordance with The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. This may happen when, for example, when the Safeguarding Lead is concerned that the individual has

· caused harm or poses a future risk of harm to children and/or vulnerable people or

· satisfied the harm test (in that no action or inaction occurred but the present risk that it could was significant) or

· received a caution or conviction for a relevant offence.

9 REVIEW AND CHANGES TO THE POLICY

(1) This policy was last updated on 01/04/2025

(2) We aim to review this policy annually. The Safeguarding Lead will be responsible for this review. If we are going to make changes to this policy, then we will notify you either by writing to you or in a meeting with the Appointed Person or their representative.

(3) Suggestions about this Policy are welcome. Please make suggestions to the Appointed Person.

10 QUERIES OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT OR THIS POLICY

(1) Any individual who feels that they have been treated in a manner contrary to our policy should contact the Safeguarding Lead.

(2) Please refer any other complaints about this policy to the Safeguarding Lead.

SCHEDULE 1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE TYPES OF ISSUES WE NEED TO PROTECT FROM

The following is intended as an introduction to the types of issues that relate to safeguarding:

· Abuse – maltreatment, abuse or neglect either by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm.

· Domestic Abuse – when someone sees, hears, or experiences the impact of abuse at home and/or in their own intimate relationships.

· Emotional Abuse - persistent emotional maltreatment, abuse or neglect causing severe and persistent adverse effects on the individual’s emotional and/or psychological state and development.

· Physical Abuse - any threatened or actual violence.

· Sexual Abuse – when an individual is forced or enticed to take part in sexual activities.

· Child on Child Abuse – maltreatment, abuse or neglect from one child to another, including all types of bullying, and abuse in intimate personal relationships.

· Child Criminal Exploitation and/or Child Sexual Exploitation – where an individual uses the imbalance in power to coerce, manipulate or deceive someone into taking part in criminal or sexual or criminal activity. This is unusually in exchange for things they need or want or because of actual or threatened violence.

· Neglect – persistently failing to meet the basic physical and/or psychological needs of an individual, particularly a child, young person or vulnerable person when it is likely to result in serious impairment to their health or development.

· Honour Based Violence – is a form of abuse when the perpetrator believes that a relative has shamed their family and/or their community by breaking their code of honour. This includes Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage.

· Mental Health – issues which may or do impact on a person’s mental health.

SCHEDULE 2 - ONLINE SAFETY SESSIONS GUIDE

This Schedule is our suggestions for how you should conduct Online Sessions. If you conduct face-to-face sessions you should also read section 4 of this Schedule.

(1) Tutors must be aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and take all reasonable steps to protect children, young people and vulnerable individuals from harm, discrimination, and demeaning treatment and to respect their rights.

(2) Tutors are responsible for their own online security in conjunction with tutoring, both online and offline.

(3) Tutors must take every precaution to ensure that they work in a safe environment and that they do not inadvertently display any inappropriate images or documents when conducting a session.

(4) Tutors must ensure the language they use is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory and not likely to cause any distress, harm or concerns and that no actual or perceived improper suggestions are made to a child, young person or vulnerable person.

(5) Tutors must ensure that any contact or communication they have in connection with their role as a tutor is conducted on our platform only and is appropriate to their role as a tutor. This should include all forms of social media.

(6) Tutors should set ground rules (Session Ground Rules) for tuition sessions and make sure that these are shared with students and their parents/guardians and any other parties involved. These should include than anyone taking part in, or who is in the vicinity of, a session should

· treat each other with respect

· use appropriate language

· ensure that nobody is subjected to abusive behaviour or language

· dress appropriately for the session

· be conscious of confidentiality

· make sure that anything that is shared with each other is appropriate and never in any way defamatory, offensive, illegal or likely to cause any distress, harm or concerns.

· Where possible, discourage, students from taking online sessions from their bedroom

· minimise distractions and disturbances.

· be conscious of confidentiality

· If the student receiving tutoring is under 18, a parent, guardian, carer or other appropriate adult should be present at the

o start of a session and identify themselves on camera and

o end of each session.