Safeguarding and child protection policy

17 th December 2021

 

Cambridge Online Tuition is committed to providing the highest standard of safeguarding and as such,

the safety of our users is our paramount concern. We believe all children have an absolute right to a

childhood free from abuse, neglect or exploitation.  All adults involved in our activities have a duty of

care to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children we work with.

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Purpose and scope of this policy

The purpose of this policy is to safeguard all users whilst they engage with our lessons, course page and

website, both while they are in a session and as a result of participating.

This policy applies to anyone using or working on behalf of Cambridge Online Tuition including tutors,

students, parents, carers and managers.

It outlines the responsibilities of all users and it is important that all have familiarised themselves with

this policy and confirmed that they have read and understood this in writing before engaging in any

activity arranged through Cambridge Online Tuition and the responsibilities and procedures contained

within adhered to. Contravention of the policy could lead to suspension and/or barring from our services.

Legal framework

This policy and the procedures contained within it have been developed to ensure we comply with all

relevant safeguarding legislation, standards and UK Law. A summary of the key legislation is available

from nspcc.org.uk/learning. It includes The Children Acts 1989 and 2004, Children and Social Work Act

2017, Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2018), What to do if you’re worried a child is being

abused (DfE 2015), Code of practice for out of school settings (DfE 2020).

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Supporting documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and

other related documents available on our website.

  • Privacy Policy

  • Standard Terms and Conditions for Parents/Guardians

  • Standard Terms and Conditions for Tutors

Registration of tutors

All tutors must provide proof of identity and proof of residential address in an online recorded session

and these are then received by email (government guidelines for checking DBS from Sept 2018). If the

tutor already has an enhanced DBS certificate within 1 year from the date in which they tutor, they will

be asked for one form of ID via email. Cambridge Online Tuition meets all tutors in the virtual classroom

to verify it is them on their ID and to conduct an interview where each tutor is required to deliver an

academic presentation. One to one training is then given in the use of the platform and classroom if the

applicant is successful.

 

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Cambridge Online Tuition requires two professional references (academic/work) which are verified. All

tutors undergo an enhanced DBS check. All tutor biographies display their certification on Cambridge

Online Tuition’s website.

All tutors sign a confidentiality statement agreeing not to disclose confidential information to a third party.

All tutors sign a self-disclosure form informing Cambridge Online Tuition if they have been involved in

any offences. This also applies to the time in which they are working for Cambridge Online Tuition. This

is updated annually.

They will be fully up to date with all relevant training including safeguarding and child protection and this will be updated regularly.

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Recording of online sessions

All online lessons will be recorded and normally available for play back to the parents and students for 4

weeks from the date of the lesson. After this date, they will no longer be available.

Cambridge Online Tuition regularly review tutorial recordings for the purpose of improving our service or

where a complaint or safeguarding report has been made.

Cambridge Online Tuition will allow access to UK law enforcement of any recording where it is reported

a criminal offence may have occurred in relation to a specific session.

​

Privacy

Where we are engaged by a school, such as for the National Tutoring Programme, tutors will not be

aware of email addresses of students or parents/carers and will neither be allowed nor able to

communicate with them directly.

Where we are directly engaged by parents, tutors will only have access to parents’ email addresses

and/or phone numbers for the sole purpose of providing information regarding the lessons and progress

of that parent’s child, whom they tutor.

At no time nor for any reason, will any tutor give their email address, phone number nor any other

personal information to any child using the services of Cambridge Online Tuition. Neither will they seek

nor accept any personal contact details from any child using the services of Cambridge Online Tuition.

All email communication will be copied to Dr Laura Brown at Cambridge Online Tuition whether that be

from tutor to parent or parent to tutor.

Roles and responsibilities of users

Tutors shall:

  • Ensure that their environment does not display any inappropriate images or documentation

capable of being viewed by the student or parent or carer when conducting a session. They will

also be dressed appropriately in a manner that would be suitable for their attendance at a school

in person.

  • Treat students fairly and without prejudice or discrimination, whatever their age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity.

  • Always ensure language is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory.

  • Ensure any contact with the student is appropriate to their role as a tutor and confined to the relevant tutorial session.

 

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  • Not make any improper suggestions to a student.

  • Not send unsolicited communications to the student or parent/responsible adult.

  • Value and take students’ contributions seriously.

  • Report any dispute, safeguarding concern or illegal activity with a student or parent/responsible

  • adult to Cambridge Online Tuition in accordance with the Safeguarding procedures set out in this document.

  • Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity identified within a tutorial session by the student or third party, in accordance with procedures set out in Safeguarding procedures.

  • Ensure that if no parent/responsible adult is present during a tutorial session that the student is comfortable to continue the session; if not, they can terminate the session.

  • Must record every lesson and be aware they are available for review by a student or parent/responsible adult for a period up to 4 weeks (also see Recording of Sessions).

  • Not take screenshots of sessions.

  • Not share any links to online content or websites that contain anything other than educational resources.

  • Ensure they attend lessons in good time, only at the designated times and dates and will never

  • agree any additional sessions with the tutee without a registered adult present and permission

  • from Cambridge Online Tuition.

  • Disclose any criminal convictions they may have to Cambridge Online Tuition by signing the self-disclosure form. This will be updated annually.

  • Take every precaution to ensure they work in a safe environment and are responsible for taking out and maintaining any insurance policies necessary to cover the work they undertake.

  • Never disclose their phone, email or other communication details with their pupil nor request their pupils’ through the online platform. If any information is to be swapped, it will be between the tutor and registered adult with permission from Cambridge Online tuition.

  • Tutors are not employees of Cambridge Online tuition and are solely responsible for their own actions both on and off the website and platform. Tutors are solely responsible for the learning materials they upload and the information the relate to the parents directly via email (if agreed with tutor, registered adult and Cambridge Online Tuition). Tutors are responsible for their own security in conjunction with our services, both on and offline.

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Students shall:

  • Tutees under the age of 18 must be registered and represented by a parent or legal guardian  who gives consent for them to receive tuition. This is the registered adult. Cambridge Online

  • Tuition is not responsible for any dispute regarding parental consent.

  • Treat the tutor with respect and fairness, and not subject them to abusive behaviour or language.

  • Not make any improper suggestions to the tutor.

  • Have no inappropriate communication with the tutor outside the tutorial session (also see

  • Parents/Responsible adult section below).

  • Report any dispute with a tutor to a parent/responsible adult in accordance with the Safeguarding procedures.

  • Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor within a session in accordance with the Safeguarding procedures.

  • Be aware that the sessions are recorded and they are available for review for a period up to 4 weeks (also see Recording of Sessions).

  • Only receive online tutoring at the designated tutoring times and dates as agreed by their registered adult, Cambridge Online Tuition and their tutor.

  • Receive tutoring in their own home with a parent or guardian present in the same room or nearby. The door to the room will remain open so the registered adult can hear the lesson and intervene if necessary.

  • Be dressed appropriately and ensure the location does not expose any personal information.

  • If broadband speeds permit, tutees will keep their video stream on for the duration of their sessions only if they agree. Microphones should be kept on at all times.

 

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  • Ensure mobile phones are on silent and out of reach.

  • Never disclose their phone, email or other communication details with their tutor nor request those of their tutor through the online platform.

  • Not share any links to online content or websites that contain anything other than educational

resources.

  • Not take screenshots of sessions.

  • Consent to the recording and monitoring of all online sessions by Cambridge Online Tuition forthe purposes stated in the Recording of online session section above.

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Parents/Responsible adult shall:

 Ensure the student is fully aware of Cambridge Online Tuition’s Safeguarding and Child

Protection Policy.

 Always be responsible for the welfare of the student during the session and be available during

the online session. This will ensure any concerns encountered by the tutee can be reported as

soon as possible and ensure the tutee and tutor are behaving in an appropriate manner.

 Always be responsible for the physical environment of the pupil during the session ensuring it is

safe and appropriate. Ensure the door to room where the lesson is taking place remains open at

all times and intervene if necessary.

 Ensure that tutors will be treated with respect and fairness by the student and will not be

subjected to abusive behaviour or language.

 Ensure that no improper suggestions are made by either the tutor or student inside or outside of

the lessons and report any unsolicited communications between the tutor and tutee to

Cambridge Online Tuition.

 Report any dispute with a tutor to Cambridge Online Tuition immediately after the lesson in

accordance with the procedures set out in this document.

 Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor in accordance with procedures set

out in this document.

 Be aware all tutorials will be recorded and made available for play back for 4 weeks (also see

Recording of Sessions).

 Ensure all of their contact details are accurate and up to date when signing the tutee they

represent to the virtual classroom.

 Exercise their own judgement regarding the accuracy of the information provided on the website.

Cambridge Online Tuition does its utmost but cannot guarantee that all of the content in the

tutors’ biographies is accurate and up to date.

School and teachers or school representative shall:

 Be responsible for the welfare of the student during the session.

 Be responsible for the physical environment of the student during the session, ensuring that it is

safe and appropriate.

 Be responsible for behaviour of the student during the session, ensuring that tutors will be

treated with respect and fairness and will not be subjected to abusive behaviour or language.

 Ensure that no improper suggestions are made by either the tutor or student.

 Be present or available for the student during the session to address any issues.

 Report any dispute with a tutor to Cambridge Online Tuition in accordance with procedures set

out in this document.

 Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor within a session in accordance

with procedures set out in this document.

 Be aware that all online tutorials will be recorded and made available for play back to the

teachers and students for 4 weeks (also see Recording of Sessions.

Director/Principal of Cambridge Online Tuition shall:

 Follow the procedure for tutor registration in the Registration of tutors section above.

 

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 Ensure that any dispute between persons using Cambridge Online Tuition’s services is handled

efficiently and fairly without discrimination in accordance with the procedures set out in this

document.

 Deal with reports of possible illegal activity promptly, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the

student and/or tutor in accordance with the procedures.

 If any incident is reported to the police relating to a specific session, make the recording available

for the police to use as evidence in any proceedings if appropriate (also see Recording of

Sessions).

 If appropriate, employ the services of an independent Child Protection consultant to review a

report concerning the welfare of a student ensuring an appropriate course of action is taken.

 Regularly review the policy and procedures to ensure they are relevant and adequate to

safeguard all persons using Cambridge Online Tuition’s services.

We believe that:

 Children and young people 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 practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

 The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take all

children, 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.

 Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their

level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

 Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is

essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

 

Procedures

Any user reported for breach of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy will be immediately

suspended from the site until the matter reported has been investigated by appropriate authorities. We

will inform them of their suspension and seek guidance where required.

Any concerns should be passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Dr Laura Brown immediately

after the lesson concerned, whereupon the following protocol will be followed:

1. Ensure any information relating to the issue raised is confirmed in writing as soon as possible

after the event in order to ensure the greatest possible accuracy. It should be signed and dated

by the person reporting or who witnessed the behaviour or concern.

2. Where the pupil’s lessons have been arranged by a school, the information will immediately be

passed on to the school’s child protection and safeguarding lead/s.

3. Cambridge Online Tuition will support the school with any action that the school deems

appropriate and will undertake reasonable steps to provide the school with any assistance.

4. Where the pupil’s parents have engaged our services directly, the Designated Safeguarding

Officer, Dr Laura Brown, will make appropriate referrals to statutory child protection agencies.

5. Where a concern relates to a tutor, the DSL will consider the report and either refer this

immediately to the authorities or, after taking appropriate advice, decide not to refer the concerns

but keep a full record.

6. All users of our services should feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practices and

know that such concerns will be treated confidentially and will be taken seriously.

 

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7. Cambridge Online Tuition reserves the right to make a final decision on action taken for minor

breaches of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Contact details

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Name: Dr Laura Brown

Email: contact@cambridgeonlinetuition.co.uk

NSPCC Helpline

0808 800 5000

Updating our policies and procedures

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually to ensure it is adequate

and relevant to safeguarding standards.

 

Appendix 1:

Definition of Abuse

Children are considered to be abused or at risk of abuse by parents/carers when the basic needs of the

child are not being met through acts of either commission or omission.  Children includes everyone

under the age of 18.

Knowing what to look for is vital to the early identification of abuse and neglect. All staff will be aware of

indicators of abuse and neglect through their experience and training so that they are able to identify

cases of children who may be in need of help or protection. If staff are unsure, they should always speak

to the DSO.  

All staff should have an awareness of safeguarding issues that can put children at risk of harm.

Behaviours linked to issues such as drug taking, alcohol abuse, deliberately missing education and

sexting (also known as youth produced sexual imagery) put children in danger.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is defined as:

 Protecting children from maltreatment

 Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development

 Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and

effective care; and

 Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

(Keeping Children Safe in Education DfE, September 2020)  

Types of abuse:

It is important to be aware that many of the forms of abuse can take place either online or in person.

Physical abuse: physical injury to a child where there is knowledge, or a reasonable suspicion, that their

injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented.

Neglect: the persistent or severe neglect of a child that results in serious impairment of the child's health

or development (both physical and mental).

 

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Emotional abuse: the persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment of a child which has severe adverse

effects on the behaviour and emotional development of that child. This may involve serious bullying

(including cyberbullying).

Sexual abuse: the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in

sexual activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent.

Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse.

Grooming: When someone builds an emotional connection with a child or a young person to gain their

trust for the purposes of sexual abuse or exploitation.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) and child criminal exploitation (CCE): Where an individual or group uses

an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into sexual or criminal activity. In some

cases, this is in exchange for something the victim wants and may benefit the perpetrator or facilitator

(e.g. financially or through increased status).

Self-abuse: Any means by which a child or young person seeks to harm themselves. This can take lots

of physical forms, including cutting, bruising, scratching, hair-pulling, poisoning, overdosing and eating

disorders.

Peer on peer abuse: Abuse of a child by another child. Examples of this include bullying, physical abuse,

sexual violence or harassment, upskirting (taking a picture under another person’s clothing without

consent), sexting and initiation/ hazing violence and rituals.

Mental health concerns: All staff should also be aware that mental health problems can, in some cases

though by no means all, be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse, neglect

or exploitation. If staff have a mental health concern about a child that is also a safeguarding concern,

immediate action should be taken, by following this child protection policy and speaking to the DSO.