Overview

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Modern Tuition Limited (trading as Modern Tuition) is committed to providing the highest standards of safeguarding and safety for the benefit of both Modern Tuition’s Tutors (referred to as Modern Tutors) and Modern Tuition clients.​ Any student under 18 years old (referred to later as ‘child’) who benefits from Modern Tuition services should be represented by a ‘guardian’ – this may be a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult above 18 years old. 

 

Ultimately, ​The Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy has been developed in order to ensure tutors and students can work together in a safe environment. and comply with relevant safeguarding legislation. The Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy should be understood in conjunction with the Modern Tuition Child Protection Policy and the Modern Tuition Terms and Conditions. ​

 

What are our aims?

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3.1. Modern Tuition is committed to providing the best possible service and – most importantly – a safe service.

 

3.2. The Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy is developed to protect Modern Tutors as well as clients/students.

 

3.3. The Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy outlines the responsibilities of Modern Tutors as well as students and their guardians.

 

3.4. Modern Tutors, students and their guardians must also fulfil their responsibilities, as outlined by the Modern Tuition Child Protection Policy and the Modern Tuition Terms and Conditions.

 

3.5. If any Modern Tutor or student guardian has a concern regarding child protection, they must contact the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately.

 

3.6. Contravention of any of the terms within this policy may result in a temporary or permanent discontinuation of Modern Tuition services.

 

Our responsibilities

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​4.1. Modern Tuition will use all reasonable means to verify the identity of all Modern Tutors.

 

4.2. Modern Tuition will use all reasonable endeavours to check the identity of Modern Tutors.

 

4.3. Modern Tuition requires every registered Modern Tutor to hold a check provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland or Access Northern Ireland, provided the Modern Tutor has lived in the U.K. for the required previous 5 years. The check must have been issued or updated within the previous 24 months. If a prospective Modern Tutor is unable to attain a DBS Check as they have not lived in the U.K. for the required previous 5 years, they will need to provide a certificate obtained by a process of checking equivalent to the Basic DBS Check with the relevant foreign police authorities.

 

4.4. Modern Tuition may request that a Modern Tutor provide two written references from persons who are not related to them – such a reference must include confirmation that the referee is not a family member. References can be shared with student guardians. Modern Tuition is not responsible for the accuracy or content of these references.  

 

4.5. Modern Tuition will encourage guardians to leave reviews of Modern Tutors. Reviews will be shared in a fashion agreed with the guardian who has written the review.

 

4.6. Modern Tuition will take all reasonable precautions to protect Students’ and Tutors’ personal data and information.

 

4.7. Modern Tuition will protect data as per relevant UK government legislation and the Modern Tuition Privacy Policy.

 

4.8. Modern Tuition will deal with reports of possible illegal activity appropriately and promptly. If ever necessary, Modern Tuition will fully co-operate with UK law enforcement to respond to allegations of illegal activity.

 

4.9. Modern Tuition will respond appropriately and promptly to complaints as per the Modern Tuition Terms and Conditions.

 

4.10. Modern Tuition will update this policy as well as all Modern Tuition policies and the Modern Tuition Terms and Conditions as appropriate.

 

The responsibilities of our students 

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5.1. Students must be at least 18 years old to book a Modern Tutor for themselves or another student. Any student under the age of 18 years old must be represented by a guardian who gives consent for them to benefit from Modern Tuition services. Modern Tuition is not responsible for any dispute regarding parental consent.

 

5.2. Students must not send inappropriate messages to Modern Tutors – if under 18 years old, students may email their assigned Modern Tutor with academic and tuition-related queries, though their guardian must be cc’d on each and every such email. Any inappropriate communication should be immediately reported to the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

5.3. Any messages sent by the student to a Modern Tuition email or any Modern Tutor are exclusively the responsibility of the student. Any messages should not be defamatory, offensive or illegal in nature.

 

5.4. If students receive any inappropriate messages from a Modern Tutor or any person or email address that purports to be associated with Modern Tuition, they should report such messages immediately – to both their guardian and the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

5.5. Any guardian of a student under 18 years old should not leave their children under the sole care of a Modern Tutor – they should be available to contact immediately so, if ever necessary, they may promptly receive reports of any inappropriate behaviour or concerns regarding the child under their guardianship.

 

5.6. Students must help ensure the physical environment wherein tuition occurs is safe.

 

5.7. Students must help ensure that their Modern Tutor is treated with respect and is not subjected to abusive behaviour or language.

 

5.8. Students must ensure no inappropriate suggestions are made to their Modern Tutor. Any inappropriate suggestions made by the Modern Tutor should be immediately reported to the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

5.9. Students must report any complaint as per the Modern Tuition Terms and Conditions.

 

5.10. Students must report any safeguarding concerns or illegal activity immediately and in line with the Modern Tuition Terms and Conditions.​

 

Responsibilities of our designated safeguarding officer

 

​6.1. Modern Tuition has a Designated Safeguarding Officer who works to offer support and training to Modern Tuition staff and Modern Tutors, ensure Modern Tuition staff and Modern Tutors are sufficiently vetted and act as a main point of contact in the event of a reported breach of Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy.

 

6.2. It is the Designated Safeguarding Officer’s responsibility to collect all relevant information with regard to a reported breach of Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy and make a decision on how to proceed.

 

6.3. The current Designated Safeguarding Officer can be contacted at joseph@moderntuition.co.uk.

 

What is our safeguarding procedure?

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7.1. In the event of the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer being contacted in regard to a child safeguarding issue, the following protocol will be followed:

 

7.1.1. The information will be immediately passed on to the child’s school – specifically, the child’s school’s designated safeguarding lead/s.  

 

7.1.2. The school shall follow their own procedure for contacting their local Police Child Protection Unit or the Social Services Department of the relevant Local Authority. Modern Tuition will undertake all reasonable work to support the school with any action the school deems appropriate.

 

7.1.3. Modern Tuition shall not undertake any independent investigation or questioning unless or until Modern Tuition is given authorisation and instruction by the aforementioned school, Police service or Local Authority. Following authorisation, Modern Tuition may independently follow up on the allegation.

 

7.2. In the event of the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer being contacted in regard to an adult student, the following protocol will be followed:

 

7.2.1. If appropriate, i.e., contact is made regarding a serious allegation involving any kind of abuse, Modern Tuition will contact the relevant Local Authority or Police service.

 

7.2.2. In this case, Modern Tuition shall not undertake any independent investigation or questioning unless or until Modern Tuition is given authorisation and instruction by the relevant Local Authority or Police service. Following authorisation, Modern Tuition may independently follow up on the allegation.

 

7.3. In the event that a student discloses abuse to a Modern Tutor or member of Modern Tuition staff, said Tutor or staff member shall:

 

7.3.1. Allow the student to speak without interruption, encouraging them to only tell what they feel comfortable telling, and accept and be non-judgemental about what is said.

 

7.3.2. Advise the student that the information that they have disclosed must be passed on - immediately to the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer and potentially to relevant professionals thereafter.

 

7.3.3. Report the incident to the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer, regardless of whether the student stops disclosing information upon hearing that the information they’ve disclosed must be passed on to the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

7.3.4. Ensure that the student is not immediately at risk of further abuse – if they are at immediate risk of further abuse, the Police service should be immediately informed, followed by the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible after the Police service have been informed and engaged with as per the instruction of the Police service.

 

7.3.5. Immediately after a disclosure, contact the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

7.3.6. To the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer, report the facts as known and understood, including the student’s name and the account given by the student, using words as they were used by the student, as well as any other relevant information.

 

7.3.7. Modern Tuition will retain a copy of all such notifications in accordance with GDPR guidelines.

 

7.4. In the event that a Modern Tutor or member of Modern Tuition staff suspects abuse of a student, they shall:

 

7.4.1. Not discuss any suspicions with the student or any other student, and they may not conduct any form of investigative work.

 

7.4.2. As soon as possible, contact the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

7.4.3. To the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer, report the facts as known and understood, including the student’s name and the account given by the student, using words as they were used by the student, as well as any other relevant information.

 

7.4.4. Modern Tuition will retain a copy of all such notifications in accordance with GDPR guidelines. ​

 

What are the responsibilities of tutors?

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8.1. Modern Tutors are employees of Modern Tuition.

 

8.2. If a Modern Tutor is to begin tutoring a student, they must have already ensured that the student is represented by their guardian, who gives consent for the student to receive tuition.

 

8.3. Modern Tutors may cancel a tuition session if they do not feel comfortable to continue.  

 

8.4. Modern Tutors must provide Modern Tuition with accurate and unambiguously clear information that is not misleading. This information must be kept up to date appropriately and promptly.

 

8.5. Any messages sent by a Modern Tutor to Modern Tuition, or any student, are exclusively the responsibility of the Modern Tutor. Any messages should not be defamatory, offensive or illegal in nature.

 

8.6. If a Modern Tutor receives any inappropriate messages from a Modern Tutor, student, or any person or email address that purports to be associated with Modern Tuition, they should report such messages immediately to the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

8.7. Modern Tutors must disclose any criminal convictions or cautions they may have to Modern Tuition, including criminal convictions and cautions received at any time after becoming a Modern Tutor and for as long as they remain a Modern Tutor.

 

8.8. Prospective Modern Tutors must disclose any relevant information which could reasonably lead Modern Tuition to determine that they are not suitable to tutor.

 

8.9. Modern Tutors must use their own professional judgement when deciding whether a student is suitable for their tuition services. Modern Tutors may consult with Modern Tuition’s management when considering such decisions.

 

8.10. Modern Tutors must help ensure the physical environment wherein tuition occurs is safe. Modern Tutors are responsible for their own insurance policies with regard to any tuition work that they undertake in association with Modern Tuition.  

 

8.11. Modern Tutors must ensure that the physical environment wherein tuition occurs is an appropriate setting for a student, with no inappropriate images or documents on display.

 

8.12. Modern Tutors must treat students equally and respect their rights, regardless of a student’s age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity.

 

8.13. Modern Tutors must take all reasonable steps possible to protect a student from harm, discrimination and demeaning treatment.

 

8.14. Modern Tutors must value their students and their students’ opinions.

 

8.15. Modern Tutors must work in respectful partnerships with their students and, if the student is 18 years old or younger, their student’s guardian/s, in order to best protect their student/s.

 

8.16. When working in association with Modern Tuition, Modern Tutors must exclusively use language that is appropriate and could not reasonably be considered offensive or discriminatory.

 

8.17. Modern Tutors must ensure no inappropriate suggestions are made to their students. Any inappropriate suggestions made by the student should be immediately reported to the Modern Tuition Designated Safeguarding Officer.

 

8.18. Modern Tutors must ensure that any contact or communication they have with their students is appropriate to their role as their tutor.

 

8.19. Modern Tutors must ensure that there is no inappropriate communication between themselves and their students – any unsolicited communications should be reported to the Modern Tuition.

 

8.20. Modern Tutors must report any complaints as per the Modern Tuition Terms and Conditions and report any safeguarding concerns, safeguarding issues or illegal activity to Modern Tuition immediately.   

 

What are your responsibilities as a Guardian?

 

​9.1. When a Modern Tutor is suggested by Modern Tuition, the Modern Tutor will not begin conducting tuition services with a student under 18 years old unless the Modern Tutor has been approved of by any such student’s guardian.

 

9.2. Guardians will be sent the relevant Modern Tutor’s DBS Certification for review upon request. Modern Tuition ensures and checks that all Modern Tutors hold DBS Certification issued within the past 24 months.

 

9.3. Guardians will ensure students under 18 years old are fully aware of the Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy.

 

9.4. Guardians are responsible for the welfare of their respective child with regard to any communication with Modern Tuition and associated Modern Tutors.

 

9.5. Guardians must ensure that the physical environment wherein tuition services occur is appropriate and safe.

 

9.6. Guardians, where they consider it appropriate, may be present for tuition services – regardless, they should be available to contact during all tuition services so any safeguarding concerns encountered by the student or Modern Tutor may be reported immediately.

 

9.7. Guardians will ensure that their respective child treats Modern Tutors with respect and fairness. Modern Tutors must not be on the receiving end of abusive behaviour or language.

 

9.8. Guardians will ensure that no improper suggestions are made by their respective child.

 

9.9. Guardians will ensure that their respective child does not inappropriately communicate with their Modern Tutor, within tuition sessions or outside of tuition services.

 

9.10. Guardians must report any inappropriate and unsolicited communications between a Modern Tutor and a student.

 

9.11. Guardians will appropriately and promptly report any dispute between themselves and a Modern Tutor to Modern Tuition management as per practices described in this document, the Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy.

 

9.12. Guardians must immediately report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity that regards their respective child and a Modern Tutor to Modern Tuition as per practices described in this document, the Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy.

 

What happens if there's a breach of our Safeguarding Policy?

 

​10.1. Any Modern Tutor, guardian or student reported for a breach in Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy will be immediately suspended from Modern Tuition services until the matter reported has been properly investigated by the appropriate authority. The Modern Tutor/guardian/student will be appropriately and promptly informed of their suspension and Modern Tuition will seek guidance in regard to the breach when required. If appropriate, the Modern Tutor/guardian/student reporting the breach will be informed of the resolution.

 

10.2. Modern Tuition reserves the right to internally resolve minor breaches of Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy. Modern Tuition management must be informed of all breaches of Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy and will make the final decision as to how such breaches are resolved.

 

10.3. Any illegal activity conducted in association with or regard to Modern Tuition, whether conducted by a Modern Tutor, guardian or student, will be reported to the police and any other relevant organisations.

 

Our approach to safeguarding policy updates​

 

11.1. Modern Tuition Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed on a regular basis and may be updated when appropriate.​​