Bright Path Learning Ltd Safeguarding Policy
1. Introduction
1.1. Bright Path Learning Ltd is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students who use our online tuition services. This policy outlines our approach to safeguarding, in accordance with the UK government's "Keeping Children Safe in Education" (KCSIE) guidelines.
1.2. All staff, including tutors, administrators, and any individuals involved in the provision of our services, are expected to adhere to this policy to protect children and young people from harm.
2. Purpose
2.1. This policy sets out the framework for safeguarding students, focusing on preventing abuse and promoting a safe online learning environment.
2.2. It applies to all employees, contractors, and volunteers who work with children or young people through our services.
3. Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities
3.1. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns:
3.1.1. Any safeguarding concerns should be reported immediately to the company leadership team.
3.1.2. The leadership team is responsible for following up on any reported concerns, providing appropriate support to both staff and students.
3.2. Staff Responsibilities:
3.2.1. All staff must complete safeguarding training and are responsible for understanding and implementing the procedures outlined in this policy.
3.2.2. Staff must report any concerns about a student's welfare to the company leadership team immediately.
3.2.3. Staff are responsible for ensuring that their conduct does not compromise the safety or well-being of students.
3.3. Tutor Qualifications, Background Checks, and Interview Process:
3.3.1. All tutors employed by Bright Path Learning Ltd are fully qualified teachers with current or recent experience of working in UK schools.
3.3.2. Each tutor has undergone and provided evidence of a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure they are suitable to work with children and young people.
3.3.3. All tutors will undergo an interview process prior to being matched with students to ensure their suitability and alignment with Bright Path Learning Ltd's safeguarding and educational standards.
4. Online Safety and Conduct
4.1. Interactions Between Tutors and Students:
4.1.1. All interactions between tutors and students must be conducted through the Bright Path Learning Ltd platform and the official workspace email. Personal contact details, including personal emails, phone numbers, or social media accounts, must not be exchanged.
4.1.2. Tutors are prohibited from engaging in one-on-one communication with students outside the Bright Path Learning Ltd workspace and email unless authorised and logged within the system.
4.2. Recording and Saving of Lessons:
4.2.1. All online tuition sessions are to be recorded and securely stored on the Bright Path Learning Ltd platform for safeguarding purposes and to facilitate the revisiting of learning content. These recordings will be retained for a period of 6 months and will be accessible only to authorised personnel.
4.2.2. The recording of lessons is intended to safeguard both students and tutors by providing a record of the interaction, ensuring that all sessions comply with our safeguarding standards.
4.2.3. Recorded sessions may be reviewed by the leadership team or other designated staff members to ensure adherence to safeguarding protocols.
4.2.4. Parents/guardians will be informed that sessions are recorded and will have the right to request access to recordings involving their child, subject to data protection regulations.
4.3. Appropriate Content and Communication:
4.3.1. Tutors must ensure that the content of lessons is appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the students.
4.3.2. Any materials or resources used must be vetted and approved by Bright Path Learning Ltd to ensure they meet safeguarding standards.
4.3.3. Tutors must avoid sharing any content or resources that are not relevant to the lesson or that may be deemed inappropriate or harmful.
5. Reporting Concerns
5.1. Recognising Signs of Abuse:
5.1.1. All staff must be familiar with the signs of abuse and neglect, as outlined in the KCSIE document.
5.1.2. If a tutor or staff member suspects that a student is at risk of harm, they must report their concerns to the company leadership team immediately.
5.2. Handling Disclosures:
5.2.1. If a student discloses abuse or neglect, the staff member must listen carefully, remain calm, and avoid asking leading questions.
5.2.2. The staff member should reassure the student that they have done the right thing in speaking up, but must not promise confidentiality.
5.2.3. The disclosure must be reported to the company leadership team without delay.
5.3. Confidentiality:
5.3.1. Information about safeguarding concerns must be shared only with those who need to know in order to protect the child.
5.3.2. All records of concerns, disclosures, and actions taken will be kept securely by the company leadership team.
6. Induction
6.1. All new staff, including tutors, must confirm their safeguarding training as part of their induction process. This confirms that tutors have read and understood the KCSIE guidelines, online safety, and the procedures outlined in this policy.
7. Whistle blowing
7.1. Staff are encouraged to report any concerns about the conduct of colleagues or the implementation of this policy. Concerns can be raised anonymously, and all reports will be taken seriously and investigated.
7.2. Bright Path Learning Ltd has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of victimisation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.
8. Monitoring and Review
8.1. This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes to legislation or guidance that necessitate an update.
8.2. The effectiveness of the policy will be monitored through regular audits, feedback from staff, and ongoing safeguarding training.
9. Contact Information
9.1. Leadership Team Contacts:
9.1.1. Name: Stephen Butler & Oliver Lomax
9.1.2. Email: info@brightpathlearning.co.uk
9.1.3. Phone: 07751 864152
This policy is endorsed by the leadership team of Bright Path Learning Ltd and is made available to all staff, parents, and guardians.