Safeguarding Policy

At Access Tuition we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people: we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The welfare of young people is our highest priority, and this means safeguarding and child protection are at the forefront when making decisions and underpin all relevant aspects of process and policy development.

We listen to the concerns of young people and have a culture of vigilance to ensure that they are protected and feel safe.

Purpose and Principles

The purpose of this policy is to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the arrangements Access Tuition has in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. It provides guidance to staff who may have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child and sets out our position in relation to the safeguarding process.

• This policy is written in line with Department for Education statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, and other relevant UK legislation and government guidance.
• It applies at all times when Access Tuition is providing services or activities directly under the management of company staff.
• It is publicly available on the company website.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

• All staff, volunteers, and visitors working with children must report actual or suspected abuse or neglect to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who is part of the leadership team.
• The DSL is the first point of contact for external agencies carrying out child protection investigations and safeguarding enquiries.
• If a child is in immediate danger, Access Tuition will contact the police via 999.
• While any professional can make a referral to children's social care, staff are expected to discuss concerns with the DSL first where practically possible, and feed back immediately if an urgent referral is made directly.
• Where a child is identified as being in need or at risk of significant harm, a referral will be made to the relevant authority.

Safeguarding Culture

Safeguarding is embedded across all aspects of Access Tuition. We expect staff to work on the basis that concerns should always be reported, however minor they may seem in isolation.

• Staff are trained in key safeguarding topics including emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, bullying and cyberbullying, child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, county lines, domestic abuse, FGM, radicalisation, serious violence, and peer-on-peer abuse.
• We recognise that children can abuse peers both offline and online. Incidents are handled proportionately and in consultation with children's social care and/or police where required.
• We adopt relevant UK guidance on online safety and image sharing incidents and provide age-appropriate safeguarding education.
• We meet duties under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty) and promote fundamental British values.
• We recognise that children with SEND can face additional safeguarding challenges and staff are expected to consider abuse and neglect risks appropriately.
• Staff must never promise confidentiality to a child where a safeguarding disclosure is made; only those who need to know should be informed.
• Victims should always be reassured they are being taken seriously and supported.

Safer Recruitment

Access Tuition uses stringent recruitment and vetting procedures for all staff and relevant volunteers. No one begins work before required checks are completed to a satisfactory level.

• Enhanced DBS checks and barred list checks where required.
• Professional references and verification of employment history.
• Identity, right-to-work, qualification, and suitability checks.
• Records are maintained on a single central record with supporting evidence retained in personnel files.

Managing Allegations

All concerns and allegations against adults working in or on behalf of Access Tuition, paid or unpaid, are handled under the Managing Allegations process.

• Concerns must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Referrals are made to DBS and/or relevant regulatory bodies where legal thresholds are met.
• This includes situations where a person has been removed from regulated activity, or would have been removed had they not resigned.

For safeguarding concerns or policy questions, contact [email protected].