Safeguarding Policy
Updated 30.8.2025
Review date: 30.8.2026
The purpose and aim of this policy statement is to set out Reach Online Tutoring & Learning Ltd’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and our overarching commitment to keeping children and young people safe. This applies to all tutors, parents and students and anyone working on behalf of Reach Online Tutoring & Learning Ltd.
Designated Safeguarding Officer
Lindsey Fekete
Lindsey@reachonlinetutoring.co.uk
07951 195419
You might also contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@NSPCC.org.uk
Or Childline on 0800 1111 if you need child protection support and advice.
Legal Framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system
Policy Statement
We believe everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them. We will give equal priority to keeping all children and young people safe regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We recognise that some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of discrimination, previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
Reach Online Tutoring & Learning Ltd will meet our commitment to keeping children safe by:
- Listening to children and respecting
- Appointing a designated safeguarding officer who takes lead responsibility for safeguarding at the highest level in the organisation, including writing safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Have robust safer recruitment, selection and appointment procedures for staff and tutors.
- Making sure all staff and tutors working on behalf of Reach Online Tutoring & Learning Ltd understand and follow the safeguarding and child protection procedures, including knowing what to do in the event of a safeguarding
- Ensuring children, young people and their families know about the organisation's safeguarding and child protection policies and what to do if they have a concern.
- Developing and maintaining a culture of vigilance within all areas of the organisation’s work.
- Handling allegations or incidents in accordance with policies and procedures, including reporting to the relevant authorities.
- Adhere to the Code of Practice for Tutors and Tutoring companies as set out by the Tutors Association including but not limited to:
- Commit to safeguarding children and young people and you always prioritise the welfare of This includes children and young people that you do not directly tutor - for example, the siblings or relations of a child you tutor.
- Ensure that your students receive tutoring in a safe environment and that you value each student’s contribution, irrespective of their age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity.
- Show respect for students’ cultural background and You should also put a child's wellbeing as paramount - so whilst being respectful of cultural background, if something threatens a child's safety/wellbeing then it should still be considered as a concern. For example, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is practiced in some cultures but is illegal in the UK and should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
- Take all reasonable steps to protect students from harm, discrimination and demeaning treatment and you respect their rights, wishes and feelings.
- Do not contact or allow contact requests from students under the age of 18 on any social media platforms or engage in any conversation via text messaging or social media with students under the age of 18 unless it is with the explicit, prior consent of the parent/guardian with whom your service agreement lies, and with the same party(ies) copied in to all such communications either on email, text messaging or social media. If you tutor for a family with whom you have an existing social media connection, this should always be disclosed to any Agency you may be working with. Social contact should not begin with students just because they have turned 18; developing a personal (non-professional) relationship with a child you are educating before they are 18 and then developing this further once they turn 18 could raise concerns that the child has been groomed.
- Do not use your personal mobile phone or camera during tutoring sessions except to directly aid a student’s learning or in the case of emergency.
- We have chosen as an agency not to record sessions. It is highly recommended that tutors ensure that a parent or guardian is available and within earshot of the tutorial at all times for both online and in- person tutorials and parents/guardians should always be encouraged to remain nearby. This is of greater importance when sessions are not being recorded. (In the circumstances where a parent or guardian goes absent during the tutorial, it is up to the individual tutor to decide whether to end the tutorial or not, but they would be perfectly entitled to do so).
- You ensure that you understand Child Protection and safeguarding
- If you receive information about a child or young person either from a student directly or from another source, which could potentially cause serious physical or psychological harm to a child or young person, you report this to Reach Online Tutoring & Learning Ltd’s Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible..
What to do if you have a safeguarding concern
Where a child is identified at immediate risk of harm then a tutor will immediately contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will in turn contact the police. In circumstances where the DSL is not immediately contactable, the tutor will call the police directly using 999.
All safeguarding concerns must be reported to Reach Online Tutoring & Learning Ltd’s Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible so we can investigate fully. All safeguarding concerns will be investigated within 1 working day of Reach Online Tutoring & Learning Ltd receiving the report.
If a child tells you they are experiencing abuse, it’s important to reassure them that they’ve done the right thing in telling you. Make sure they know that abuse is never their fault. Never promise a child that you will keep the things they’re telling you a secret. Explain that you need to share what they’ve told you with someone who will be able to help.
Any concerns must be kept confidential and should not be discussed with anyone other than the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Any written information regarding a disclosure or concerns must be recorded by the Designated Safeguarding Lead following the NSPCC’s Child protection records and storage guidelines. Any reports should be objective and detailed.
Reach Online Tutoring & learning Ltd will deal appropriately and promptly with all allegations or concerns and refer any about its staff or tutors immediately to the appropriate Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in accordance with local safeguarding procedures and guidance.
If considered necessary and appropriate, Reach Online Tutors will immediately suspend tuition, pending investigation.
Safer Recruitment
Specific vetting procedures will be carried out to ensure that all tutors are qualified and suitable as far as can be reasonably ascertained.
These include:
- Proof of photoidentification
- Proof of relevant qualifications and experience
- An Enhanced DBS Check with Barring check which is less than 12 months old, or be signed up to the DBS Update Service.
- Tutors who have taught or reside in Scotland, Wales, NI or abroad may be subject to additional checks.
- A minimum of 2 reference checks from previous employment, an academic source or a recognised professional who has been known to the applicant for a minimum of two
Relevant Documents
NSPCC Child protection records retention and storage guidelines
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (DfE Guidance)