Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

All self-employed tutors must either:

have an existing enhanced DBS check not more than 2 years old verified by Top Class Tutor along with photographic ID and original certificate seen by Top Class Tutor staff;

arrange with Top Class Tutor to have a new enhanced DBS check processed by Top Class Tutor.

The enhanced DBS certificate must be kept up to date and regular checks of certificates will be performed.

Self-employed tutors receive a copy of this policy when they register as a tutor with us and confirm they have read it, familiarised themselves with the contents and understand the contents contained in it when agreeing to our Terms and Conditions.

Code of Conduct

All adults coming into contact with children through Top Class Tutor’s work must comply with this Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy and this Code of Conduct at all times.

You must:

Treat all children with respect and dignity;
Work in an open and transparent way;
Avoid being alone with a child or cause someone else to be alone with a child because of your actions e.g. being late. If alone in a room with children keep the door open at all times, sit on another side of the table and let another person you are with the child;
Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned so always be transparent in every action and behaviour done with children;
Be aware that any physical contact with a child can be misinterpreted and should always be avoided. Shaking hands in a public setting is considered acceptable.
Be aware that social networking sites are in the public domain if not protected by privacy settings. Privacy settings must be activated so that children would not be able to access your online profiles and if any information about you is in the public domain and brings Top Class Tutor into disrepute your employment with them could be compromised;
Block children that approach you online;
Recognise that special caution is required when discussing sensitive issues with children;
Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations/suspicions of abuse or concerns about child protection or safeguarding to the relevant authorities without delay.
Be aware of your own safety and security. Always have a mobile phone charged and available to you. But do not have the mobile phone out and visible during tutoring sessions.
Ensure that sessions are logged on the TutorCruncher system before they occur so that Top Class Tutor has a record of where you should be.
Record the time and date of each session and complete the session report with notes about how the session has gone.

You must not:

Enter the house alone to tutor a child without a parent/carer of the child being present;
Promise confidentiality to children in any situation;
Add children on any personal or professional social networking site;
Respond to any online communication from a child, for example on a social networking site.
Share any personal contact details (including email addresses, telephone numbers, addresses or any other contact information) with children, or, seek out their personal contact details.
Arrange to meet a child outside (offline & online) of the allocated tutoring time.
Act in a manner that excludes the children you are working with.
Make suggestive or derogatory remarks in front of children.
Have inappropriate physical contact or verbal contact with children.
Show favouritism to any individual.
Be under the influence of alcohol or other substances when working on activities involving children.
Take photographs of children.

You should always follow this code of behaviour and never rely on your reputation or that of our organisation to protect you. If you have behaved inappropriately you will be subject to our disciplinary procedures and depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may be removed from our agency as a tutor. We may also need to make a referral to statutory agencies such as the police and/or the local authority child protection services. If you become aware of any breaches of this code, you must report them to Top Class Tutor immediately.

Reviewed September 2022