1. Introduction

GeorgieMTutoring is operated by Georgina [Last Name], a sole trader providing individual A-Level Psychology and GCSE Maths tuition and masterclasses exclusively online. I am fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in my care.

This policy applies to all tutoring services delivered under the GeorgieMTutoring brand, including 1:1 sessions, masterclasses, and any other online group sessions.

This policy is informed by the following legislation and guidance:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 — as statutory guidance relevant to those working with children

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, updated 2023)

• Prevent Duty (2015)

• UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018

• Guidance from Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (LSCPs)

2. Scope and Definitions

For the purposes of this policy:

• A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18.

• Safeguarding refers to the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

• Child protection is part of the safeguarding process and refers specifically to activity that is undertaken to protect individual children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

As a sole online tutor, I am the only practitioner responsible for the delivery of sessions. There is no staffing structure above me. As such, I act as my own Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and am responsible for all safeguarding decisions, recording, and referrals. Where I have a concern, I refer directly to the relevant external agencies as outlined in Section 8 of this policy.

3. Core Principles

• The welfare of the child is paramount at all times.

• All children, regardless of age, ability, race, religion, gender identity, or background, have an equal right to protection.

• Safeguarding is my responsibility as the sole practitioner.

• Early identification and intervention is crucial to preventing harm.

• Confidentiality is respected in all circumstances, but safeguarding concerns override non-disclosure. I will share information with the appropriate authorities where there is a risk to a child’s welfare or safety.

• This policy is child-centred: the child’s voice, experience, and best interests are central to all decisions.

4. DBS Check and Safeguarding Training

I hold a current Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and am subscribed to the DBS Update Service, meaning my certificate is subject to continuous review. Details of my DBS check are available to parents and guardians on request.

I have completed Level 1 Safeguarding Training (basic awareness) and am committed to keeping my training up to date. I will complete a refresher or progress to Level 2 training within the next 12 months and will review my training every two years thereafter.

I also maintain awareness of the Prevent Duty and online safety guidance relevant to working with children in a digital environment.

5. Online Safety and the Working Environment

All GeorgieMTutoring sessions are delivered exclusively online via Google Meet. The following safeguarding measures are in place for all sessions:

5.1 Platform and Session Safety

• All sessions are conducted via Google Meet with waiting rooms enabled.

• Parents and guardians are informed of session times and are welcome to be present or nearby during sessions.

• All sessions are recorded for safeguarding purposes. Recordings are stored securely on Google Drive for three months and then deleted. Parents and guardians are informed of this at the point of booking via the Terms and Conditions.

• I use a professional, neutral background and appropriate dress for all sessions.

• I do not conduct unsupervised text or chat communication with students outside of the lesson platform. All communication regarding sessions is directed to the parent or guardian.

5.2 Professional Boundaries

• I do not connect with students on personal social media accounts. All social media contact takes place via the official GeorgieMTutoring business accounts only.

• Messages received via GeorgieMTutoring social media accounts are responded to professionally and appropriately. Session-specific queries are redirected to the student portal or email where possible.

• Social media communications with students are kept professional in tone and content at all times and are not used to discuss personal matters.

• All communication involving a student is appropriate, professional, and ideally visible to a parent or guardian.

• I do not share personal contact details (personal mobile number, personal social media accounts, or personal email) with students.

5.3 Online Safety Education

• Where appropriate, I will promote safe internet use with students and encourage them to report any inappropriate online contact to a trusted adult.

• I will remain alert to signs that a student may be experiencing online exploitation, grooming, or radicalisation, and will act in accordance with Section 7 of this policy.

6. Recognising Abuse and Harm

As a sole online tutor, my contact with students is limited to the online session environment. I may nonetheless become aware of concerns through what a student says, how they present, or changes in their engagement or behaviour. I am alert to the following categories of abuse:

6.1 Types of Abuse

• Physical abuse — including hitting, burning, or physical harm inflicted on a child

• Emotional abuse — including persistent verbal abuse, humiliation, or rejection

• Sexual abuse — including coercion or exploitation of a child for sexual purposes

• Neglect — including persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or emotional needs

• Child-on-child abuse — including bullying, harassment, and online abuse

• Grooming and exploitation — including online exploitation or radicalisation (Prevent Duty)

6.2 Indicators of Concern

Indicators that a child may be experiencing harm or abuse include but are not limited to:

• Unexplained changes in mood, behaviour, or engagement

• Disclosures made directly or indirectly by the student

• Visible signs of distress, withdrawal, or fearfulness during sessions

• References to home situations, relationships, or experiences that give cause for concern

• Signs consistent with radicalisation or extremist views

7. Responding to a Disclosure or Concern

7.1 If a Student Makes a Disclosure

If a student discloses information that raises a safeguarding concern, I will:

• Listen calmly and without judgement

• Avoid asking leading questions or pressing for more detail than the student volunteers

• Not promise confidentiality — I will explain to the student that I may need to share what they have told me to keep them safe

• Reassure the student that they have done the right thing by telling me

• Record the disclosure as soon as possible after the session, using the student’s own words where possible (see Section 7.3)

• Not contact the alleged abuser

7.2 If I Observe a Concern

If I observe behaviour, language, or circumstances during a session that give me cause for concern — even without a direct disclosure — I will record my observations and follow the same reporting process outlined in Section 8.

7.3 Recording

All safeguarding concerns and disclosures will be recorded in writing as soon as possible following the session. Records will include:

• The date and time of the session

• What was said or observed, using the student’s own words where applicable

• Any action taken or referral made

• The date of the record

Safeguarding records are stored separately from academic records, in a secure, password-protected location on Google Drive. They are retained in line with UK GDPR and will be kept for as long as necessary to fulfil safeguarding obligations.

8. Reporting and Referral Procedures

As a sole practitioner, I am responsible for making referrals directly to the appropriate external agencies. I do not have an internal DSL structure above me.

8.1 Determining the Relevant Local Authority

Because my students are based across the UK, referrals will be made to the Children’s Services and LADO of the local authority where the student lives — not necessarily Dorset. I will identify the correct local authority at the point a concern arises.

My own local authority (where I am based) is Dorset County Council. Contact details are included in Section 10.

8.2 Reporting Process

If I have a safeguarding concern, I will:

• Record the concern immediately (see Section 7.3)

• Identify the local authority for the area where the student lives

• Contact Children’s Services in that local authority to make a referral

• Contact the LADO if the concern involves an allegation against another adult working with the child

• Contact the police (999) immediately if a child is in immediate danger

• Notify the parent or guardian unless doing so would put the child at further risk

8.3 Allegations Involving Me

In the unlikely event that an allegation is made against me, the parent or guardian should contact the LADO in the student’s local authority directly. The LADO is responsible for managing allegations against individuals who work with children.

I will cooperate fully with any investigation and will follow LADO guidance throughout.

8.4 Prevent Duty

If I have concerns that a student may be at risk of radicalisation or involvement in extremism, I will refer to the Channel programme via the local police or the national Prevent referral process. I will not attempt to manage such concerns independently.

9. Working in Partnership with Families

I believe that safeguarding is most effective when there is open, transparent communication with parents and guardians. I will:

• Share this policy with all parents and guardians at the point of booking

• Inform parents and guardians of the session recording process and its safeguarding purpose

• Encourage parents and guardians to be present or nearby during online sessions, particularly for younger students

• Maintain open communication with families about any pastoral concerns that fall below the threshold for a formal referral

Where a safeguarding referral is required, I will inform the parent or guardian unless doing so would place the child at greater risk of harm.

10. Key Contact Details

My Local Authority — Dorset County Council

• LADO: 01305 221122 | lado@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

• Children’s Services (referrals): 01305 228866

• Out of hours: 01305 228558

For Students Based Outside Dorset

Referrals will be made to the Children’s Services and LADO of the local authority where the student is based. I will identify the correct contacts at the point a concern arises using the government’s local authority directory at: www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse-to-local-council

National Contacts

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 | help@nspcc.org.uk

• Childline (for children): 0800 1111

• Police non-emergency: 101

• Emergency: 999

• NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline: 0800 028 0285

• Prevent / Channel referrals: via local police or www.gov.uk/government/publications/channel-and-prevent-multi-agency-panel-pmap-guidance

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

All information relating to students is treated as confidential. However, confidentiality is not absolute. I will share information with the appropriate authorities without consent where:

• There is a risk to the life of the child or another person

• A child is suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm

• There is a legal or statutory obligation to share the information

The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR do not prevent the sharing of information for safeguarding purposes. Safeguarding concerns will always take precedence over data protection considerations.

All safeguarding records are held separately from academic records and stored securely in line with the GeorgieMTutoring Privacy Policy.

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner in response to any of the following:

• Changes to relevant legislation or statutory guidance

• A safeguarding incident or near miss

• Significant changes to the way GeorgieMTutoring operates