Safeguarding Policy (January 2026)

This child protection policy has been developed in accordance with laws and guidance aimed at safeguarding children, including: Children’s Act 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1991, Data Protection Act 1998, Education Act 2002, Sexual Offences Act 2003, Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, Children Act 2004, Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2015, Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Children and Social Work Act 2017, Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, and Working Together to Safeguard Children. These frameworks are essential for providing safe tutoring services that prioritize the well-being of every child.

Another Level Tutors firmly believes that it is unacceptable for any child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and acknowledges its responsibility in safeguarding children’s welfare. The organization understands that child protection is paramount in all tutoring services provided. 

"Everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe. No single practitioner can have a complete picture of a child’s needs and circumstances, and if children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information, and taking prompt action.” Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2025.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure child protection and safeguarding children who receive tutoring services from Another Level Tutors by: 

1. Protecting children and young people from harm while they are engaged in tutoring. 

2. Responding to any allegations or concerns regarding the welfare of a child or young adult who receives tutoring services from Another Level Tutors. 

3. Outlining the ongoing training that individuals providing tuition services for Another Level Tutors will undertake to ensure that safeguarding protocols are current and understood by all. 

This policy applies to anyone employed by or working on behalf of Another Level Tutors. 

The policy will be reviewed and updated annually, or earlier if there is a change in legislation. 

The current policy is effective from 17.01.2026 and will be reviewed before 16.01.2027.

As a provider of tutoring services focused on educational support for children and young people, any individual employed by or working on behalf of Another Level Tutors must:  • either be registered with the DBS Update Service or have a DBS check completed each year;  • undertake appropriate safeguarding training at least once every two years from an approved safeguarding training provider (Another Level Tutors currently utilizes TES Safeguarding Training, NSPCC Learning, or Prospero Learning;  • stay informed about new developments regarding safeguarding children and child protection, updating this policy to reflect any changes;  • report any safeguarding concerns accurately to the relevant authorities, following the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures. For the majority of students, this will be the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership at https://surreyscp.org.uk/  Tel: 0300 470 9100  Email: cspa@surrey.gov.uk  In cases of safeguarding concerns for students who are taught online or reside outside the county of Surrey, the Local Authority Safeguarding Lead for the appropriate county will be contacted.

If a student discloses that they or another child is being abused, the tutor will take the following steps to ensure child protection:  

• Show that they have heard what the child is saying and that their allegations are being taken seriously;  

• Encourage the child to talk freely, without prompting or asking leading questions;  

• Ensure the child is not interrupted while recalling significant events and that they are not asked to repeat their account;  

• Reassure the child that they can express any worries, but never promise confidentiality, as some information must be shared to ensure their safety;  

• Explain the actions that will be taken in a manner appropriate to the child's age and understanding;  

• Record the child's exact words as soon as practical;  

• Make a note of the date, time, location, and individuals present during the disclosure;  

• Contact the Safeguarding Lead at Another Level Tutors;  

• If there are concerns that the child is in immediate danger, the police must be called.  

If a tutor suspects a safeguarding children issue or has welfare concerns regarding one of their students, they will:  

• Inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead;  

• If the tutor believes the child is in immediate danger, they will contact the police.

Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership is dedicated to child protection and the welfare of all children in the area. For more information, visit their website at https://surreyscp.org.uk/. You can also reach them by phone at 0300 470 9100 or via email at Cspa@surrey.gov.uk. 

For assistance related to safeguarding children, you can contact Surrey Police. In case of an emergency, dial 999, or for non-urgent matters, call 101. More details can be found on their website at www.surrey.police.uk. Additionally, if you are looking for tutoring services to support children's educational needs, there are various options available in Surrey.

Safeguarding children and young people is crucial, and various training sessions are available to enhance child protection measures. Notable upcoming training includes the Safeguarding Children and Young People session on 14th March 2026 by Prospero Education, and a Prevent Duty Refresher Training scheduled for 9th January 2026 by HM Government. Additionally, MAPA Training will be offered in April 2021 at Surrey Schools, while FGM Awareness Training is set for 12th April 2026. To ensure compliance with child protection standards, a DBS Enhanced Disclosure is also required by 14th January 2026 for those involved in tutoring services.