Shine Tuition exists for the benefit of the students in our community. We are totally committed to the welfare of our students and tutors and have developed this policy document together with the adoption of associated safeguarding procedures to give full meaning to our security and safeguarding commitments.
Shine Tuition offer both one to one and small group tutoring. This can be in-person or online which each fall within the scope of this policy.
- The welfare of each student is paramount (The Children Act 1989)
- Each student will receive their tutoring in a safe environment
- All reasonable steps will be taken to protect every student from harm, discrimination or demeaning treatment.
- Every student is entitled to have their rights, wishes and feelings respected
- Every tutor is entitled to be treated with respect
We undertake to:
- Take all suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse seriously
- Respond to them swiftly and appropriately
- Retain a designated Safeguarding lead who will take responsibility for implementing our Safeguarding Policy
- Ensure that all Tutors and parents/guardians are aware of the correct procedures for raising any concerns they may have
- Ensure all Teachers are DBS check certified
- Ensure all our Tutors work in partnership with parents/guardians
- Ensure all our Tutors are kept up-to-date with training in best practice and child protection procedures
- Ensure compliance with GDPR legislation
1. Introduction
1.1 Shine Tuition is committed to ensuring the highest possible standard of safeguarding. The personal safety and wellbeing of each student and tutor working with the Shine Tuition is paramount.
1.2 Our Learning Centres are Covid Secure environments with multiple groups working such that every tutorial is witnessed by at least one other staff member.
2. Aims
2.1 This policy document contains the responsibilities of all persons using the Learning Centres and having online lessons, including tutors, students, parents (responsible adults) and teachers.
2.2 The aim of this policy is to safeguard all students and other persons using the Learning Centres and having online lessons both whilst they are within a tutorial session and as a result of participating.
2.3 It is important that all persons using or working on behalf of Shine Tuition are aware of this policy and have familiarised themselves with the detailed safeguarding procedures.
2.4 This policy should be read and understood before engaging in any activity arranged through Shine Tuition and the responsibilities and procedures therein adhered to. Contravention of the policy document could lead to suspension and/or barring from Shine Tuition and its services.
3. Legislative Framework
These policies and procedures aim to ensure that all persons using Shine Tuition’s services can do so safely within child safeguarding standards and UK law.
4. General Information
Registration of Teachers
In order to be registered with Shine Tuition the teacher must provide proof of identity, proof of residential address, an enhanced DBS certificate and two professional references that will be verified.
5.Privacy
5.1 All personal details about the student and parents, including contact address and phone number, will remain private and confidential and will not be available to the tutor.
5.2 All data held by Shine Tuition is in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
Roles and Responsibilities
6. The Tutor
The tutor shall:
- Ensure that their environment does not display any inappropriate images or documentation capable of being viewed by the student or parent/responsible adult when conducting a session.
- Treat students fairly and without prejudice or discrimination; students who have a disability or come from a minority ethnic or cultural group can easily become victims of discrimination and prejudice which may be harmful to the student’s wellbeing.
- Always ensure language is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory.
- Ensure any contact with the student is appropriate to their role as a tutor and confined to the relevant tutorial session.
- Not make any improper suggestions to a student.
- Not send unsolicited communications to the student or parent/responsible adult.
- Value and take students’ contributions seriously.
- Report any dispute with a student or parent/responsible adult to Shine Tuition.
- Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity identified within a tutorial session by the student or third party.
- Ensure that if no parent/responsible adult is present during a tutorial session that the student is comfortable to continue the session; if not, they can terminate the session.
7. The Student
The student shall:
- Treat the tutor with respect and fairness, and not subject them to abusive behaviour or language.
- Not make any improper suggestions to the tutor.
- Have no inappropriate communication with the tutor outside the tutorial session.
- Report any dispute with a tutor to Shine Tuition.
- Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor within a session.
8. Parent/Responsible adult
The parent/responsible adult shall:
- Ensure the student is fully aware of Shine Tuition’s Safeguarding Policy.
- Always be responsible for the welfare of the student during the session.
- Always be responsible for the physical environment of the pupil during the session ensuring it is safe and appropriate.
- If they consider it appropriate, be present or available during a tutor session so any concerns encountered by the student can be reported as soon as possible and ensure the student and tutor are behaving in an appropriate manner.
- Ensure that tutors will be treated with respect and fairness by the student and will not be subjected to abusive behaviour or language.
- Ensure that no improper suggestions are made by either the tutor or student.
- Ensure the student has no inappropriate communication with the tutor outside the tutorial session.
- Report any unsolicited communications between the tutor and student if appropriate.
- Report any dispute with a tutor to Shine Tuition.
- Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor.
9. Director of Shine Tuition
The Director of Shine Tuition shall:
- Ensure that any dispute between persons using Shine Tuition’s services is handled efficiently and fairly without discrimination.
- Deal with reports of possible illegal activity promptly, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the student and/or tutor in accordance with the procedures.
- Regularly review the policy and procedures to ensure they are relevant and adequate to safeguard all persons using the Shine Tuition’s services.
10. Review
The Safeguarding Policy and procedures will be reviewed by Shine Tuition on a regular basis to ensure it is adequate and relevant to safeguarding standards.
11. Compliance
11.1 All persons using Shine Tuition’s services have a responsibility to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding Policy.
11.2 Any tutor reported for a breach of the Safeguarding Policy will be suspended from the site until the incident has been investigated by the appropriate authority. The reporter may be informed of the resolution if appropriate.
11.3 The final decision on action taken for minor breaches of the Safeguarding Policy will be the responsibility of Shine Tuition.
11.4 Any person reported for illegal activity whilst using Shine Tuition’s services will be reported to police and will be barred from the service.
11.5 Any person reported for causing harm to a student or subjecting the student to sexual abuse will be reported to police and barred from the service.