TW TEACH AND TUTOR SAFEGUARDING POLICY 2025.
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION, OVERVIEW AND DEFINITIONS
1.1 Introduction
The purpose of this policy is to:
Ensure all TW Teach and Tutor stakeholders understand the importance of child protection and safeguarding, and their responsibilities in identifying and reporting actual or suspected abuse, neglect, or concerns about a child’s welfare.
Ensure tutees, tutors, parents and Local Authorities are aware that TW Teach and Tutor takes safeguarding seriously and follows appropriate procedures for identifying and reporting concerns, including allegations against staff.
Promote effective liaison between TW Teach and Tutor and other agencies to ensure the protection of pupils.
Ensure all tutors and staff at TW Teach and Tutor recognise their responsibility to safeguard children, promote their welfare, and work with other agencies to identify, assess, and support those who may be at risk.
Ensure all tutors who work with TW Teach and Tutor, who by the nature of their role have substantial access to children, have been thoroughly vetted, including verification of their identity, qualifications, satisfactory DBS check, prohibition check (where relevant), and an overseas check where appropriate.
Ensure consistent good practice across our tutoring services.
1.2 Overview
There are three main elements to TW Teach and Tutor’s safeguarding policy:
Prevention: A positive and safe tutoring environment, vigilant tutors, good adult role models, and accessible support for tutees.
Protection: Agreed procedures are followed, and tutors are supported in responding appropriately and sensitively to safeguarding concerns.
Support: Vigilance in supporting pupils at risk of significant harm and ensuring tutors respond effectively to concerns.
Everyone at TW Teach and Tutor understands that safeguarding is a collective responsibility.
We foster a culture of ‘compassion and challenge,’ ensuring that all stakeholders feel empowered to raise concerns in a supportive environment. Safeguarding is a team effort, and we work closely with relevant agencies to protect children and promote their welfare.
1.3 Definitions
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means:
Providing support to meet the needs of children as soon as issues emerge.
Protecting children from maltreatment, including online harm.
Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development.
Ensuring children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Taking action to enable all children to achieve the best outcomes.
A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18. Child Protection refers to activities undertaken to prevent children from suffering significant harm. Safeguarding is a broader concept that includes child protection and actions taken to promote children's welfare.
SECTION 2: LEGAL FRAMEWORK
TW Teach and Tutor follows the guidance and legislation relevant to child protection and safeguarding, including but not limited to:
● The Children Act 1989: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41/contents
● The Children Act 2004: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/31/contents
● Education Act 2002 (Section 175): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/32/section/175
● The Education (Pupil Information) (England) Regulations 2005: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1437/contents/made
● Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2
● Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2023): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2
● Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those working with children (2022): https://saferrecruitmentconsortium.org/GSWP%20Sept%202022.pdf
All tutors must familiarise themselves with these statutory requirements. TW Teach and Tutor acknowledges the responsibility of working alongside schools, Local Authorities, and safeguarding bodies to ensure the welfare of all children receiving tuition.
SECTION 3: MULTI-AGENCY WORKING
3.1 Working Together
Tutors should view themselves as part of a ‘team around a child’ rather than working in isolation. TW Teach and Tutor collaborates with practitioners, families, and agencies tosupport child protection efforts. Our tutors recognise the statutory safeguarding duties placed on educational institutions.
TW Teach and Tutor ensures tutors receive annual safeguarding updates and are aware of their responsibilities under KCSIE 2024.
SECTION 4: SAFEGUARDING ETHOS
TW Teach and Tutor is committed to:
Maintaining a safe and respectful environment where children feel valued.
Encouraging children to communicate concerns and ensuring they are listened to.
Upholding a culture of vigilance, where safeguarding concerns are acted upon in the best interest of the child.
Providing clear reporting mechanisms for tutors and staff.
Ensuring robust safer recruitment procedures are in place.
Promoting effective communication between tutors, parents, and safeguarding bodies.
SECTION 5: REPORTING AND RECORD-KEEPING
Concerns regarding private tuition clients must be reported to the DSL for TW Teach and Tutor, Phoebe Plummer, at 07809278895. If unavailable, referrals should be made directly to the appropriate Local Authority.
Any disclosures made by a child must be documented, including date, time, and details of the conversation, and reported without delay.
Immediate risks must be reported to 999 or Children’s Social Care services.
Written records of concerns must include:
Date and times of observations
Any injuries noted
Actions taken and persons spoken to
Any actual words used by the child
Any questions asked (avoiding leading questions)
Local Authority Safeguarding Contacts:
● Surrey: 0300 470 9100 (Out of hours: 01483 517898)
● Kingston and Richmond: 020 8547 5008 (Out of hours: 020 8770 5000)
● Farnham (Berkshire): 0118 937 3641 (Out of hours: 01344 786 543)
● Hounslow: 020 8583 6600 (Out of hours: 020 8583 2222)
SECTION 6: SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE GROUPS
Tutors must be particularly vigilant in safeguarding children who:
Have SEND or health conditions with additional needs.
Are young carers.
Are at risk of exploitation, trafficking, or radicalisation.
Have experienced abuse or neglect.
Are in care or have returned home from care.
SECTION 7: SOCIAL MEDIA AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Tutors must not engage with pupils on social media.
Tutors may take photos of pupils’ work for educational purposes but must not include any identifying details (faces, names, locations, etc.).
SECTION 8: HANDLING DISCLOSURES
Tutors should:
Stay calm and listen.
Reassure the child but not promise confidentiality.
Record exactly what the child says.
Report to the DSL immediately.
SECTION 9: ALLEGATIONS MANAGEMENT
Any allegations made against a tutor must be reported immediately to Phoebe Plummer, who will consult with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). If an allegation is against the DSL, it should be reported directly to the LADO.
SECTION 10: WHISTLEBLOWING
All tutors should feel safe to report any concerns regarding safeguarding. The NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline is available at 0800 028 0285.
SECTION 11: HEALTH AND SAFETY
Tutors must prioritise their own safety and leave any situation where they feel at risk.
A risk assessment should be conducted before any off-site tutoring sessions.
First aid remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian present.
All tuition taking place in a child’s home must have an adult present, other than the tutor. Parents are informed of this requirement and sign an agreement before tutoring begins.
If a tutor arrives and finds the child alone, they must leave immediately and inform the DSL.
If the tutor feels the child is at immediate risk, they should follow the emergency guidelines outlined in Section 5.
In the UK, there is no specific legal age at which a child can be left home alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. The NSPCC provides general guidelines based on child welfare concerns:
Babies, toddlers, and young children should never be left alone, even for a short period.
Children under 12 are generally not considered mature enough to be left alone for a long period.
Children under 16 should not be left alone overnight.
Parents and guardians can be prosecuted if leaving a child alone puts them at risk of harm or neglect.
The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 can be used to prosecute parents if their decision to leave a child alone leads to neglect or harm.
This policy ensures that TW Teach and Tutor maintains the highest safeguarding standards. All tutors must adhere strictly to these guidelines to create a safe and supportive environment for all pupils.
All tutors must sign a Google Form to confirm they have read and will adhere to the safeguarding policies outlined in this report.