Safeguarding and Child Protection for Tutors

Tutors can become an important part of a young person's life. They provide guidance, support, and teaching on a personal level. Over this time, tutors and students can build trusting and strong relationships. It's vital that tutors provide a safe and comfortable environment for children during tutoring sessions. 

Have clear expectations set out which are clear and communicated with parents and guardians before any tutoring sessions. This can include where sessions will take place, what the will include, what your focus will be, and where the parents or guardians will be during the sessions. During this initial conversation, it is a good idea to bring up your safeguarding policies and procedures (and provide a copy) and how you will ensure the safety of the child. 

When teaching face-to-face, the learning environment must be considered and how this will work practically whilst maintaining a child's safety. Is there a dedicated learning space or desk, which is separate from day-to-day living e.g. without personal photos, items, and documents? Is this space big enough to not be sitting too close together, and sufficient enough to complete the tuition? Are there any items that could be considered inappropriate, if so remove them?

It's important to set clear boundaries on other people in the home, whether this is the student's home or your own home. If the tutoring sessions are taking place in your own home, ensure that no one in your household has been disqualified from working with children. Whereas in the student's home, setting boundaries on interrupting tutoring sessions and learning must be set.

It's important that teaching is complete in the correct room, e.g. kitchen or dining room and not the bedroom. However, parents and guardians should understand that this space is for learning. They can of course sit in on sessions, but they musnt disrupt them.

Whilst it's important to create a focused learning environment, it's important that the child is always safe. Even if there are safe, there are some points to ensure to do in each session. Leave the door to the room open, and ensure blinds and curtains are always kept open. As above if parents or guardians want to sit in on sessions, this is fine, but ensure the areas are suitable for 3 people to sit comfortably. If parents or guardians do not wish to sit in on lessons, ensure they remain in the house at all times.

If they understand the contents of the tutoring sessions, the progress, and how their child is doing they will feel more involved and less in the dark. Also, this communication will reinforce the fact that you are open and honest about all aspects of the tutoring.

For further information on how we take steps to ensure child safety at TeachTutti, visit our FAQs page or get in touch with us.