Safeguarding policy 

1. Overview 

1.1 Confidence First Tutoring (CFT) are committed to providing the highest standard of safeguarding. The safety of our tutors and students is our paramount concern.  

1.2 This safeguarding policy should be read in conjunction with our Terms and conditions.  

2. Aims of Policy 

2.1 CFT seeks to provide the best service possible and provide a safe experience in which children can learn. 

2.2 This policy aims to ensure we safeguard all Students and Tutors whilst they engage with our Lessons. 

2.3 This policy outlines the responsibilities of all tutors and it is important that all have familiarised themselves with this policy and our Terms and conditions. 

2.4 Alongside this policy, students and tutors must comply with the The Tutors' Association Child Protection Policy and all relevant legislation and government guidance. 

3. CFT Responsibilities 

3.1 CFT requires all tutors to have an enhanced background check. Background checks must have been awarded within 3 years for them to be accepted. Within these time frames, background checks will be accepted if they are enhanced checks provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or Access Northern Ireland. 

3.2 CFT encourages Students to leave a Review of Tutors they have Lessons with. “Review” means any review, comment or rating. 

3.3 CFT will protect all data in accordance with all relevant legislation and GDPR. 

4. Student Responsibilities 

4.1 Students must be at least 18 years old to book a Tutor for themselves or another learner. Learners under the age of 18 must be represented by a parent or legal guardian who gives consent for them to receive tuition. CFT is not responsible for any dispute regarding parental consent. 

4.2 Students must ensure that all of their personal details and contact information are accurate and up-to-date. 

4.3 Any Student who is the parent or legal guardian of a Learner under the age of 18 who has a Lesson with a Tutor should not leave the child in the sole care of that Tutor. They must be available for the Learner to report any inappropriate behaviour or concerns. Learners must report any concerns to a parent or legal guardian immediately. 

4.4 Students must ensure the physical environment is safe. 

4.5 Students must ensure that Tutors are treated with respect and are not subjected to abusive behaviour or language. 

5. Tutor Responsibilities 

5.1 Tutors are responsible for their own actions both online and offline. 

5.2 If Tutors contact Students who are under 18, they must ensure that these Students are represented by a parent or legal guardian who gives consent for the Student to receive tuition. 

5.3 Tutors may cancel Lessons if no parent or legal guardian is present during a Lesson with a Learner who is under 18 and they or the Learner do not feel comfortable to continue. 

5.4 Tutors are solely responsible for the material they or the Learner they represent post on the Website, including messages sent, and they must not post defamatory, offensive or illegal material. 

5.5 Tutors must use their own judgement about whether they wish to offer their tuition services to each individual Student. 

5.6 Tutors must ensure that their environment does not display any inappropriate images or documents when conducting a session. 

5.7 Tutors must treat students fairly and without prejudice or discrimination; whatever their age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity. 

5.8 Tutors must ensure all reasonable steps are taken to protect children from harm, discrimination and demeaning treatment and to respect their rights. 

5.9 Tutors must value students and take their contributions seriously. 

5.10 Tutors must ensure they work in partnership with parents and children – which is essential for the protection of children. 

5.11 Tutors must ensure the language they use is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory. 

5.12 Tutors must ensure that any contact or communication they have with the Student is appropriate to their role as a Tutor and confined to the field for which they have been selected to tutor. 

5.13 Tutors must ensure that there is no inappropriate communication between themselves and the Student on or outside of the Website and report any unsolicited communications from the Student if appropriate. 

6. Parent/Responsible adult responsibilities 

Any reference to students in this section is a reference to students who are under the age of 18 years of age. 

6.1 The parent/leal guardian will always be responsible for the welfare of the student during the session. 

6.2 The parent/legal guardian will always be responsible for the physical environment of the pupil during the session ensuring it is safe and appropriate. 

6.3 The parent/legal guardian will if they consider it appropriate, be present or available during a tutor session so any concerns encountered by the student or the tutor can be addressed.  

6.4 The parent/legal guardian will use their best endeavors to ensure that tutors will be treated with respect and fairness by the student and will not be subjected to abusive, inappropriate behaviour or language. 

7. Updating our Policies and Procedures 

7.1 This Safeguarding Policy and our Procedures will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it is adequate and relevant to safeguarding standards. 

Terms and conditions

Payment Information 

Payment for in person sessions are payable by bank transfer in advance or by cash on the day. Payment for all online sessions are made by bank transfer in advance.  

All invoices should be settled at least 24 hours prior to the first session for which invoicing applies. 

Termination of tuition 

1. This Agreement may be ended by mutual consent at any time, or 

2. Either signatory to this Agreement may terminate the Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other signatory at least two weeks in advance. 

Lesson Cancellation 

To cancel a scheduled lesson, please give notice at least 48 hours in advance. Failure to provide at least 48 hours’ notice will result in the time being invoiced. 

If a cancellation is made with more than 48 hours’ notice, an alternative tuition time will be offered, though the client must accept that it may not always be possible to accommodate rescheduling of lessons, in which case the lesson will be missed and no invoice will be given in respect to the session. 

Cancellation with more than 24 hours’ notice on either side will not be invoiced. 

Make-up Lessons 

If the tutor or tutee is unable to give a scheduled lesson, an alternative time will be offered where possible. 

If the student is unable to attend a scheduled lesson, every effort will be made to provide a make-up lesson if proper notice is given. 

   Lateness 

Lessons will start at their scheduled time. If a student is late, the time will not be made up. Where tutors are travelling to students, students should be ready to start their lesson at the allocated time. However, it should be appreciated that where tutors are travelling to students there may, on occasion be unavoidable delays due to traffic, extended communication with parents etc. Where lessons start after their scheduled time due to tutor lateness, the time will be made up. 

Student lateness in excess of 15 minutes will result in a cancelled lesson. The lesson fees will not be refunded, and there will be no make-up lesson scheduled. Tutor lateness in excess of 15 minutes will be communicated by text message as soon as is reasonably practicable. 

Lesson Requirements 

Students should bring the following items to every lesson: books they are currently working out of, notebooks/paper, calculator and appropriate stationary. 

Students should come to each lesson with any homework set by the tutor, completed and be ready to discuss what they are working on. 

Code of Conduct 

Where students are under 18, tuition will only take place where a responsible adult is in the house at all times. If a responsible adult is not home for the full duration of the lesson, the lesson will be terminated or will not start, but the full lesson fee will be payable. 

Where tutors are travelling to students, students and adult members of the household should be fully dressed in daytime clothes on arrival (not pyjamas). It is appreciated that this may not be appropriate or feasible for younger members of the household, in particular where sessions are held after 8pm. 

Where tuition will take place at the clients’ home, space should be provided for tuition where the responsible adult can 

be accessible at all times. Under no circumstances will tuition take place in a bedroom. 

Students and their parents are to refrain from using inappropriate, disrespectful or aggressive language and/or behaviour during, before or after lessons. Aggressive or threatening behaviour will result in immediate termination of the tuition agreement. Any fees paid for future lessons will be forfeited. 

Limitation of Liability 

While the Tutor will endeavour to ensure the Student makes satisfactory progress, this cannot be guaranteed, and can’t be held accountable for the academic success or otherwise of the Student. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Tutor accepts no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, foreseeable or otherwise, including any indirect, consequential, special or exemplary damages arising from the use of the Tutor’s services or any errors or omissions in the content of the Tutor’s learning materials.