LAST UPDATED: 3rd April 2024
This Safeguarding Policy replaces any previous version of it.
Tutography Limited ("We", "Us”, "Our" or "Tutography") is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who uses Our Website (www.tutography.co.uk).
We advise all users of Our Website ("You” or "Your”) to please read Our Safeguarding Policy in full prior to using Our Website.
By using Our Website, You agree to this policy. We reserve the right to amend and update this policy at any time, without prior notice, in accordance with the current safeguarding legislation. The most up to date version of this policy will be displayed on Our Website.
It is the responsibility of all users of Our Website to read this policy and know the necessary steps to take if a safeguarding concern were to arise.
1. If You Have a Safeguarding Concern
In the event that You have a concern regarding child protection, You must immediately contact Us via email at support@tutography.co.uk. Please ensure Your concern is objective and detailed. Any and all concerns may be used in court cases and inquests as evidence.
If You choose not to disclose a known breach of the terms within this policy, You may be permanently barred from using Our Website and services.
2. Our Objective
We are dedicated to ensuring the safety of everyone who uses Our Website as it is Our primary concern. Our Website, services and third-party providers have all been designed/chosen with Our users’ safety in mind.
The aim of this policy is to ensure each parties duties and responsibilities are stipulated and complied with to create a safe learning environment for all users. Within this policy, the relevant legislation, responsibilities of each party and information regarding a reported breach of this policy has been outlined. In addition to reading this policy in full, it is vital that You also read Our Terms and Conditions which are available on Our Website (www.tutography.co.uk).
Together with this policy, You must comply with the Tutor’s Association Child Protection Policy, even if You are not a member of the association itself, as well as all relevant legislation and government guidance.
3. Tutography Responsibilities
Our responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the terms below.
3.1 Do Our best to protect Students and Tutors from harm.
3.2 Update Our safeguarding policies and procedures to best reflect the current safeguarding legislation and government guidance.
3.3 Ensure rigorous, safer recruitment - including required procedures for all staff and Tutors.
3.3.1 Use reasonable endeavours to confirm the identity of all Tutors.
3.3.2 Require all Tutors to provide evidence of an Enhanced Background Check (this evidence can only be from the Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or Access Northern Ireland) dated within the previous three (3) years.
3.3.3 Upon a Tutor’s application, request two written references, from individuals who are not family members of the Tutor, prior to their profile being displayed on Our Website.
3.4 Decide if a Tutor’s profile is appropriate for display and sufficiently complete prior to displaying it on Our Website.
3.5 Provide induction periods and ongoing training for staff and Tutors.
3.6 Promote safer working practices for all staff, Tutors and Students.
3.7 Create and maintain a vigilant culture among all staff, Tutors and Students.
3.8 Ensure Students can leave a rating and/or review of a Tutor they have received a Lesson from.
3.9 Ensure users can access information for how to report a safeguarding concern.
3.10 Handle safeguarding reports promptly, in grave seriousness and in accordance with Our policies and the current legislation and government guidance.
3.11 Report allegations of illegal activity to the relevant law authorities.
3.12 Take reasonable endeavours to protect a user’s personal information. More details regarding privacy can be found in Our Privacy Policy, available on Our Website (www.tutography.co.uk).
3.13 Monitor communications and postings made via Our Website.
3.14 Record all Meet the Tutor Sessions and Lessons (other than when there is an unforeseen malfunction of the recording equipment) and store these recordings for a minimum of twenty-eight (28) days and a maximum of one (1) year. Please note, Tutography is the sole proprietor of all these recordings.
4. Tutor Responsibilities
4.1 A Tutor is solely responsible for their actions for which Tutography will not be held responsible.
4.2 A Tutor must be at least 18 years old.
4.3 A Tutor must be legally entitled, including being in possession of the relevant immigration status where applicable, to work in the United Kingdom on a self-employed basis.
4.4 A Tutor is responsible for providing accurate and up to date personal information, qualifications, accreditations and statements on Our Website and these should be in no way misleading. Information can be updated when needed, contact details can be found on Our Website (www.tutography.co.uk).
4.5 A Tutor is required to provide evidence of an Enhanced Background Check (this evidence can only be from the Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or Access Northern Ireland) dated within the previous three (3) years.
4.6 A Tutor must inform Tutography of any criminal convictions or cautions they may have, including any criminal convictions or cautions received after having registered as a Tutor and while the Tutor remains registered on Our Website.
4.7 In the case that a Tutor is contacted by a Student who is under 18 years old, they must confirm that the Student’s parent or legal guardian created the account and will monitor the Student during any and all Bookings (including, but not limited to, Meet the Tutor Sessions and Lessons).
4.7.1 A Tutor has the right to cancel a Booking if the learner’s parent or legal guardian is not present during a Booking or if the learner feels uncomfortable to proceed.
4.7.2 A Tutor must work in unison with parents and children.
4.8 A Tutor is solely responsible for assessing whether they choose to offer their tuition services to a Student. A Tutor should take necessary precautions to ensure they work safely and is responsible for purchasing their own insurance policies to ensure they are appropriately covered for the work they undertake.
4.9 A Tutor should respond to communications via Tutography both promptly and professionally.
4.10 All communication with Students must take place via Our Website.
4.11 All meetings and Bookings arranged between a Tutor and Student should be scheduled by making a Booking via Our Website.
4.12 A Tutor agrees to only use the Online Classroom provided by Tutography for their Bookings. In the case where there are issues with the Online Classroom provided, the Tutor must contact Tutography immediately for an alternative Online Classroom.
4.13 A Tutor acknowledges and agrees that all Bookings may be recorded and stored by Tutography and that these recordings can be shared.
4.14 A Tutor must ensure they work in a physically safe environment and are solely responsible for arranging their own insurance policies to cover any work they undertake.
4.15 It is the duty of a Tutor to ensure they are not involved in any inappropriate posts, uploads or communication via Our Website and must report any inappropriate communications they witness to Us immediately via e-mail at support@tutography.co.uk.
4.16 A Tutor is solely responsible for their security when using Our Website and/or services.
4.17 A Tutor must treat Students with respect and not subject a Student to inappropriate behaviour or language.
4.18 A Tutor must not make any improper suggestions to a Student.
4.19 A Tutor must report any safeguarding concerns or illegal behaviour to Us immediately via e-mail at support@tutography.co.uk.
4.20 A Tutor must treat Students without prejudice or discrimination.
4.21 A Tutor must execute their best endeavours to protect Students from harm, discrimination and inappropriate treatment.
4.22 A Tutor must only use language which is appropriate, non-offensive and in no way discriminating.
4.23 As decided by Tutography, a Tutor who breaches this safeguarding policy may be suspended from accessing and using Our Website with immediate effect. Any planned Bookings may be cancelled by Us in these circumstances.
4.23.1 A Tutor who breaches this safeguarding policy shall compensate Tutography for all claims and liabilities which result from the relevant breach, including, but not limited to, any costs and expenses sustained.
5. Student Responsibilities
5.1 If a Student is registering them self, they must be at least 18 years old. If the tuition is being arranged for an individual under 18 years old, the Student must be their parent or legal guardian.
5.1.1 If a Student is registering on behalf of a child under 18 years old, they must also attend any and all bookings. In this circumstance, the Student does not need to be next to the child or seen via the camera, but present nonetheless.
5.2 A Student must keep their personal details and contact information accurate and up to date.
5.3 A Student must only contact a Tutor via Our Website. No other means of communication must be made with the Tutor. Above all, this is for a Student’s own safety.
5.4 A Student agrees not to disclose any personal information to a Tutor that could put them at risk, including but not limited to: their address, telephone number, National Insurance number and/or password.
5.5 It is the duty of a Student to ensure they are not involved in any inappropriate posts, uploads or communication via Our Website and must report any inappropriate communications they witness to Us immediately via e-mail at support@tutography.co.uk.
5.6 A Student is solely responsible for assessing the accuracy of information and services offered by Tutors displayed on Our Website. Tutography does perform an Enhanced Background Check for each Tutor before displaying their tutoring services on Our Website, however a Student is responsible for checking the qualifications, credentials, and any other information they deem necessary, of any Tutor who they intend to confirm a Booking with. Qualifications of any Tutor are self-certified by the Tutor and is not verified, validated or checked by Tutography.
5.7 A Student acknowledges and agrees that all bookings may be recorded and stored by Tutography and these recordings can be shared.
5.8 A Student must make sure their physical environment is safe.
5.9 A Student must treat Tutors with respect and not subject a Tutor to inappropriate behaviour or language.
5.10 A Student must not make any improper suggestions to a Tutor.
5.11 A Student is solely responsible for their security when using Our Website and/or services.
5.12 A Student must report any safeguarding concerns or illegal behaviour to Us immediately via e-mail at support@tutography.co.uk.
6. Parent/Legal Guardian Responsibilities
When referencing Students in this section, We are referring to Students who are below the age of 18 years old.
When referencing You in this section, We are referring to the parent/legal guardian of the student below 18 years old who will be using Our Website or services.
6.1 You must read this Safeguarding Policy in full prior to using Our Website or services.
6.2 You shall be solely responsible for the protection and welfare of the Student while using Our Website and/or services.
6.3 You shall be solely responsible for ensuring the Student is in a safe physical environment while using Our Website and/or services.
6.4 You must be responsible for selecting a Tutor and ensure You make all reasonable checks when judging the suitability of the Tutor for the Student.
6.5 You must be present or available while the Student is using Our Website and/or services in case a student has any concerns. Therefore, any concerns can be reported immediately to Us.
6.6 You will monitor the Student during all bookings to ensure that the Student treats their Tutor appropriately and with respect.
6.7 You must report any dispute, inappropriate behaviour and/or communication to Us immediately.
7. Users who are Reported for a Breach
If a Student or Tutor is reported for breaching the terms in this policy, they will be suspended from Our Website with immediate effect. We will inform them of their suspension and carry out an investigation. If the report involves illegal activity, the relevant law authorities will be contacted and any relevant information will be shared with them, including any recordings We may have of the alleged incident.
If a Student or Tutor is involved with illegal activity, they will be barred from using Our Website and services.
8. Queries and Complaints
If You have any queries, concerns or complaints relating to Our Safeguarding Policy, please contact us via e-mail at support@tutography.co.uk.
9. Underpinning Legislation and Guidance
Current legislation and guidance are detailed below.
9.1 Legislation
- Children Act 1989
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
- Children Act 2004
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
- Equality Act 2010
- Children and Families Act 2014
- Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
- Modern Slavery Act 2015
- Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015
- Children and Social Work Act 2017
- Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018
- Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Children’s Code (issued under the DPA 2018, effective October 2021)
- Marriage and Civil Partnerships Act 2022
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 2024
9.2 Guidance
- What to do if you’re worried about a Child is being Abused, 2015 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/419604/What_to_do_if_you_re_worried_a_child_is_being_abused.pdf)
- Child Sexual Exploitation Guidance, 2017 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-sexual-exploitation-definition-and-guide-for-practitioners)
- Information Sharing Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners, 2018 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2018 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2)
- Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2023 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1181955/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2023.pdf)
- Children’s Code (https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/childrens-information/childrens-code-guidance-and-resources/introduction-to-the-childrens-code/)
- Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those working with children and young people in education settings (https://www.saferrecruitmentconsortium.org/_files/ugd/f576a8_0d079cbe69ea458e9e99fe462e447084.pdf)
