Safeguarding Policy

1. Our commitment

Entrance Exam Tutors is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who use our services. We recognise our responsibility to protect children from harm and to create a safe, supportive environment in every interaction, whether online or in person.

2. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Freddie Sudeep. Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to the DSL in the first instance at entranceexamtutors@gmail.com or by calling +44 7459 881500.

3. DBS checks

All Entrance Exam Tutors who work directly with children hold an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. DBS certificates are reviewed at least every three years or sooner if there is cause for concern. Evidence of DBS clearance is available on request.

4. Online session safety

The majority of our tutoring is delivered online. The following safeguards apply to all online sessions:

• Sessions are conducted via a recognised video conferencing platform (e.g. Zoom or Google Meet) using a named account.
• For pupils under 18, a parent or guardian is present in the home for the duration of the session.
• Sessions are not recorded without explicit written consent from the parent or guardian.
• Any necessary contact between a tutor and a pupil between lessons takes place only in a group chat that includes the parent or guardian, and only where it is strictly necessary.
• Tutors do not contact pupils privately via personal social media, personal phone numbers, or private messaging apps.

5. In-person sessions

Where in-person sessions are agreed, they take place in appropriate settings, typically the family home or a mutually agreed public location. For pupils under 18, a parent or guardian is present in the property throughout; tutors do not conduct one-to-one in-person sessions with a pupil in a private space without a parent or guardian present.

6. Recognising and reporting concerns

All tutors are trained to recognise signs of abuse, neglect, or welfare concerns. If a tutor has a safeguarding concern about a pupil, they must report it immediately to the DSL. The DSL will assess the concern and, where appropriate, refer to the relevant local authority children's services or the police. We follow the guidance of Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government, 2023).

7. Safer recruitment

We follow safer recruitment practices for all tutors, including identity verification, reference checks, and Enhanced DBS clearance before any tutor begins working with children.

8. Reporting a concern

If you have a safeguarding concern, whether about a child's welfare or about the conduct of one of our tutors, please contact our DSL immediately:

In an emergency, always contact the police (999) or children's social care services first.

9. Policy review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated in line with changes to legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice. The current version is always available on this page.