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Safeguarding Policy for British Expert Education

Effective Date: 01/01/205

  1. Introduction

British Expert Education is committed to providing a safe and secure online learning environment for all students. This safeguarding policy has been developed in line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 guidance and sets out the responsibilities and procedures for all self-employed tutors and staff to ensure the safety and well-being of children during online tutoring sessions.

  1. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

  • All self-employed tutors engaged by British Expert Education.
  • Any other staff or volunteers involved in the provision of tutoring services.
  • All students under the age of 18 receiving tutoring services.
  • All parents/guardians of students receiving tutoring services at British Expert Education.
  1. Key Principles
  • The welfare of the child is always paramount.
  • All children, regardless of age, gender, disability, racial or ethnic background, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation, have the right to protection from harm.
  • All staff and self-employed tutors have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the child and to report any concerns or disclosures promptly.
  1. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for British Expert Education is responsible for overseeing safeguarding practices and addressing any concerns that arise. The DSL’s contact details are as follows:

  • Name: Rozerin Yarasir
  • Email: rozerin@britishexperteducation.co.uk

In the absence of the DSL, a Deputy DSL will be available.

  1. Recognizing Signs of Abuse

All tutors and staff should be aware of the signs and indicators of abuse, including but not limited to:

  • Physical Abuse: Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
  • Emotional Abuse: Excessive withdrawal, fearfulness, or depression.
  • Sexual Abuse: Age-inappropriate sexual behaviour or knowledge.
  • Neglect: Poor hygiene, hunger, or lack of supervision.
  • Online Abuse: Cyberbullying, grooming, exposure to harmful content.
  1. Safe Online Practices

British Expert Education is committed to ensuring the safety of students during online sessions. The following practices must be adhered to by all tutors:

  • Platform Use: Tutors must use only approved video conferencing platforms provided or sanctioned by British Expert Education. Recording of sessions is not permitted unless prior written consent is obtained from parents/guardians and the DSL.
  • Communication: All communication with students must be through professional channels (e.g., business emails, messaging through the online platform). Tutors must not use personal social media accounts to communicate with students.
  • Background and Environment: Tutors must conduct sessions in a quiet, professional environment. Backgrounds should be neutral and free from distractions. Virtual backgrounds should be used where possible.
  • Dress Code: Tutors should dress professionally and appropriately, as they would in a physical educational environment.
  1. Reporting Concerns and Disclosures
  • Immediate Action: If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 and report the concern to the police.
  • Disclosure by a Child: If a child makes a disclosure, tutors must:
    • Listen carefully without interrupting.
    • Avoid making promises about confidentiality.
    • Reassure the child that they will be taken seriously.
    • Record the disclosure in detail, including the date, time, and exact words used.
  • Reporting to DSL: Any concern or disclosure must be reported to the DSL as soon as possible, using the secure reporting procedure outlined by British Expert Education. This should include detailed notes of the concern and any actions taken.
  1. Role of the DSL

The DSL is responsible for:

  • Assessing the information provided by tutors.
  • Taking appropriate action, including contacting relevant child protection agencies.
  • Maintaining records of concerns and safeguarding issues securely.
  • Providing advice and support to tutors regarding safeguarding issues.
  • Ensuring that all tutors receive safeguarding training and are aware of this policy.
  1. Safer Recruitment

To ensure that all tutors are suitable to work with children, British Expert Education will implement the following recruitment procedures:

  • Enhanced DBS Checks: All self-employed tutors must undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before commencing work.
  • References: At least two professional references must be obtained and verified.
  • Safeguarding Training: All tutors must complete safeguarding training prior to their first tutoring session and participate in regular refresher training.
  1. Code of Conduct for Tutors

Tutors are expected to adhere to the following conduct when interacting with students:

  • Maintain a professional relationship at all times.
  • Never share personal contact information with students or connect with them on social media.
  • Avoid being alone with a student in an online session outside of the scheduled tutoring times.
  • Respect the student’s privacy and confidentiality, while understanding the obligation to report any safeguarding concerns.
  1. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

We ask that parents and guardians:

  • Supervise Sessions: Where possible, parents should be present or nearby during online sessions to monitor their child’s safety.
  • Communication Channels: Ensure that all communication with tutors is conducted through the designated communication channels provided by British Expert Education, such as emails or the tutoring platform.
  • Report Concerns: If a parent has concerns about their child’s safety or well-being during tutoring sessions, they should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately using the contact information provided below.
  • Consent for Recording: Parents must provide written consent if any sessions are to be recorded for quality assurance or safeguarding purposes. Recordings will only be used as outlined in this policy.
  1. Communication with Parents Regarding Safeguarding Concerns

If any safeguarding concern arises regarding a student, the DSL will:

  • Inform the parent or guardian about the concern unless doing so may put the child at greater risk.
  • Work with parents to ensure the child’s well-being and provide support during the process.
  • Seek consent from parents when sharing information with educational institutions or other relevant agencies, unless the situation necessitates immediate action for the child’s safety.
  1. Monitoring and Review
  • This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are changes in legislation or if an incident occurs that warrants a review.
  • Tutors will be notified of any changes to this policy, and updated versions will be made available on the company’s website and internal communication channels.
  1. Contact Details for External Support

In addition to contacting the DSL, tutors and parents can reach out to the following organizations for support and advice on child protection:

  • NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
  • Childline: 0800 1111