Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Company Name: Success Story Tutoring
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Lily Houston
Date of Policy: 20/04/25
Next Review Date: 20/04/26
1. Policy Statement
Success Story Tutoring is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people we work with.
We believe every child has the right to learn in a safe, supportive environment — free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to:
- Protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.
- Promote their welfare.
- Respond swiftly and appropriately to any safeguarding concerns.
All staff and tutors have a duty to report concerns and work collaboratively to maintain a culture of vigilance.
2. Legal Framework
This policy is based on:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2024)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
- The Children Act 1989 & 2004
- The Education Act 2002, Section 175
- The Care Act 2014 (for adults at risk)
- Prevent Duty Guidance 2015 (updated 2021)
- Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR
3. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All staff, tutors, freelancers and volunteers working on behalf of Success Story Tutoring.
- All students, regardless of age, gender, ability, religion, or background.
- All activities, including online tuition, in-person sessions and communications with students or parents.
4. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Name: Lily Houston
Role: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Contact Email: lilyhouston@successstorytutoring.co.uk
Contact Phone: 07851 288811
The DSL is responsible for:
- Receiving and acting on all safeguarding concerns.
- Maintaining records of concerns securely.
- Liaising with schools, local authorities, or other agencies as appropriate.
- Ensuring all tutors receive annual safeguarding training and updates.
- Reviewing and updating safeguarding policies annually.
5. Safer Recruitment
We follow Safer Recruitment principles to ensure all tutors are suitable to work with children.
This includes:
- DBS checks (with barred list where applicable).
- Verification of identity and qualifications.
- Obtaining at least two professional references.
- Completion of safeguarding induction training before starting work.
No tutor begins work until all checks are complete and recorded.
6. Recognising and Responding to Concerns
All staff must be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, including:
- Physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or neglect
- Child-on-child abuse (including bullying, harassment, or sexualised behaviour)
- Online abuse or grooming
- Extremism and radicalisation (Prevent Duty)
- Mental health concerns that may indicate abuse or neglect
If a tutor has a concern:
- Listen carefully, without judgement.
- Record factual details (date, time, who was present, what was said).
- Report immediately to Lily Houston (DSL) via secure email or phone.
- The DSL will decide next steps — including whether to contact:
- The student’s school DSL
- Surrey Children’s Services (via MASH)
- Police (if a child is in immediate danger)
7. Allegations Against Staff or Tutors
Any allegation that a tutor or staff member has:
- Behaved in a way that harmed or may have harmed a child;
- Possibly committed a criminal offence against a child; or
- Behaved in a way that indicates unsuitability to work with children
… must be reported immediately to the DSL (Lily Houston), who will refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 24 hours.
8. Online Safety
Tutors delivering online lessons must:
- Use only company-approved platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp).
- Ensure sessions take place in a professional setting with appropriate boundaries.
- Report any inappropriate online behaviour or contact to the DSL immediately.
9. Confidentiality and Record Keeping
- All safeguarding records are stored securely and separately from academic notes.
- Information is shared on a need-to-know basis, in line with GDPR and safeguarding law.
- Tutors must never promise confidentiality to a student if they disclose abuse.
10. Whistleblowing
Staff are encouraged to raise concerns about poor practice or unsafe behaviour through the DSL.
If the concern involves the DSL, it should be reported directly to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
Whistleblowers are protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
11. Review and Monitoring
This policy is reviewed annually by the DSL or sooner if:
- There are significant changes in safeguarding legislation.
- A safeguarding incident highlights the need for review.
All staff confirm they have read and understood the latest version.
Approved by: Lily Houston (DSL)
Date: 20/04/25
Next Review: 20/04/26
