Why Safeguarding Matters:
All children have the right to a childhood free from abuse, neglect or exploitation. We all have a duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children we work with. You, as a tutor with Tutorful, are responsible for your own actions and behaviour, and should avoid any conduct which would lead a reasonable person to question your motive and/or intention.
If you have any questions about safeguarding, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our Tutor Experts who will be happy to listen and offer advice on what to do next.
General Dos and Don’ts when Tutoring
DO:
Treat students with respect, fairness and without prejudice or discrimination
Ensure that the environment of a lesson is appropriate and does not display any inappropriate material
Use appropriate language
Make sure you’re not left alone with a child
Avoid social networking with students, and monitor your privacy settings (e.g. Facebook)
Report any allegations or suspicions you may have
ASK if you’re not sure - you can reach our Customer Success team via phone or email
DON’T:
Promise confidentiality to a student
Make unsolicited contact with pupils online, via social media or through mobile phones
Share personal contact or social media information with your students with the intention of organising contact outside of tuition
Arrange to meet students outside of booked lessons
Make inappropriate comments either online or via text
Make inappropriate gestures to students within a session
Attend lessons under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If you ever have any questions or concerns about child protection and safeguarding, please get in touch with one of our Tutor Experts, who will be happy to talk you through what to do next. You can contact us at support@tutorful.co.uk and we’re in the office 9am until 7pm Monday to Friday.
Types of Abuse
Abuse is categorised into seven main types:
Physical abuse - signs: bruises, cuts
Physical injury to a child which was inflicted or knowingly not prevented by an adult
Emotional abuse - signs: noticeable or sudden changes in behaviour or attitude
Ill treatment of a child which has severe adverse effects on their behaviour and emotional development
Sexual abuse - signs: overtly sexual language or inappropriate behaviour
The involvement of children and adolescents in sexual activities, for which they are under age (under 16) or if they are over 16, for which they have not given informed consent
Neglect - signs: inappropriate food, clothing or bad hygiene
Persistent or severe neglect of a child resulting in serious impairments of the child’s health or development
Extremism
A vocal or active opposition to fundamental human values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Grooming
When someone builds an emotional connection with a child or a young person to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse or exploitation
Self-abuse
Any means by which a child or young person seeks to harm themselves; this can take lots of physical forms, including cutting, bruising, scratching, hair-pulling, poisoning, overdosing and eating disorders