Travelling Tutors Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is:

• To protect children and young people who receive services from Travelling Tutors.
• To provide parents, carers, tutors, contractors and volunteers with the principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection.
• To ensure that all concerns relating to the welfare of a child are identified, recorded and responded to appropriately.

This policy applies to all individuals delivering services on behalf of Travelling Tutors.

Legal Framework

This policy has been developed in accordance with:

• The Children Act 1989
• The Children Act 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
• UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
• Relevant local safeguarding partnership procedures

Our Commitment

We believe that:

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.
• Every child has the right to protection from harm.
• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
• The welfare of the child is paramount in all decisions and actions.

We recognise that:

• All children have an equal right to protection regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.
• Some children may be more vulnerable due to previous experiences, additional needs, communication difficulties, or other circumstances.
• Working in partnership with parents, carers, schools and other agencies is essential to keeping children safe.

How We Keep Children Safe

Travelling Tutors will seek to keep children safe by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting children and young people.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Following safer recruitment practices where applicable.
• Holding appropriate DBS checks where required.
• Undertaking safeguarding training and keeping knowledge up to date.
• Recording concerns accurately and securely.
• Sharing safeguarding concerns with relevant agencies when necessary.
• Processing personal information securely and in accordance with data protection legislation.
• Promoting a culture where concerns can be raised openly and appropriately.

Safeguarding During Tuition

Travelling Tutors recognises that tuition often takes place on a one-to-one basis and may be delivered online.

To help safeguard children:

• Parents/carers will be informed of the timing and format of tuition sessions.
• Online tuition will only take place through approved platforms.
• Wherever possible, students should participate from a shared family space rather than a bedroom.
• Parents/carers are encouraged to remain within hearing distance of online sessions.
• Students should use appropriate clothing and participate in a suitable learning environment.
• Sessions will not be recorded unless there is a clear educational or safeguarding reason and appropriate consent has been obtained.
• Communication with students will remain professional and relevant to tuition.
• Wherever possible, communication will be directed through parents or carers.

Online Safety

Travelling Tutors is committed to promoting online safety.

• Personal social media accounts will not be used to communicate with students.
• Professional communication channels will be used at all times.
• Students should not share personal information during group sessions.
• Tutors will take reasonable steps to ensure online learning environments remain safe and appropriate.
• Any online safety concerns will be treated as safeguarding concerns and managed accordingly.

Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Where a safeguarding concern arises, Travelling Tutors will:

• Listen carefully and respectfully.
• Avoid asking leading questions.
• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
• Never promise absolute confidentiality.
• Make an accurate written record of the concern as soon as possible.
• Store records securely.
• Seek advice where necessary.
• Contact appropriate safeguarding agencies, children's services, schools, police, or emergency services where required.
• Share information only on a need-to-know basis.

Low-Level Concerns

Travelling Tutors encourages the reporting and recording of low-level concerns relating to conduct, behaviour, or professional boundaries, even where these concerns do not meet the threshold for a formal safeguarding referral.

Early reporting helps maintain a strong safeguarding culture and protects both children and tutors.

Photography and Images

Travelling Tutors recognises the importance of protecting children's privacy.

• Images will only be taken where appropriate and necessary. This is to evidence the children's learning, and steps should be taken to not include the child in the image.
• Separate consent will be sought where images may be used beyond educational records.
• Images will be stored securely.
• Images will never be sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
• Images of children will not be used in marketing, and we will attempt to prevent any identifiable information being shown via children’s work being shared.

Emergency Information

Travelling Tutors will maintain appropriate emergency contact details for all children receiving tuition.

Parents and carers are responsible for informing Travelling Tutors of any changes to emergency contact information.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Name: Lily Grey

Telephone: 07407515488 / 07460101210

Email: enquiries@travellingtutors.org

Concerns should be reported to the DSL as soon as possible.

Whistleblowing

Travelling Tutors encourages anyone involved with the organisation to raise concerns about poor practice, inappropriate behaviour, or safeguarding issues without fear of disadvantage or reprisal.

Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation, guidance, or organisational requirements change.

Policy Last Reviewed: August 2026

Next Review Due: August 2027