Safeguarding Policy – GradeSmart Tuition 

Note: The terms ‘child’, ‘children’ and ‘young person’ describe any person under the age of 18. 

 

1. Organisation Details 

Name of Organisation: GradeSmart Tuition 

Type of Provision: In-person one-to-one and small group tuition 

Age Range: Children and young people aged 7–16 

Venues: Community venues, including church premises 

Policy Date: 23/03/2036 

Review Date: 23/03/2027 (annual review) 

 

2. Purpose and Scope of the Policy 

GradeSmart Tuition provides educational tuition services for children and young people aged 7–16. We are committed to ensuring that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is central to all our activities. 

Our organisation acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. Safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and recognised best practice standards. 

The welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. 

We aim to ensure that, regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or socio-economic background, all children: 

• Have a positive and enjoyable experience at GradeSmart Tuition in a safe and child-centred environment 

• Are protected from abuse and harm whilst participating in tuition sessions or related activities 

We recognise that some children, including disabled children and those from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, may be particularly vulnerable to abuse. We accept responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare. 

The purpose of this safeguarding policy statement is to: 

• Protect children and young people who receive services from GradeSmart Tuition from harm 
• Provide staff, volunteers, children, young people and their families with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection 
• Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people 

This policy applies to all individuals working on behalf of GradeSmart Tuition, including trustees, paid staff, volunteers, administrative staff and visitors. 

The policy and associated procedures are mandatory for everyone involved in GradeSmart Tuition. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, dismissal or exclusion from the organisation. 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. 

 

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework 

This policy has been developed in line with UK safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, including: 

England 

• Children Act 1989 
• Children Act 2004 
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (where applicable) 

Wales 

• Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 
• Working Together to Safeguard People 

Scotland 

• Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 
• National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 

Northern Ireland 

• Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 
• Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland 

GradeSmart Tuition also follows guidance issued by local safeguarding partnerships and the NSPCC. 

 

4. Safeguarding Policies, Procedures and Records 

GradeSmart Tuition operates in accordance with the following safeguarding-related policies, procedures, role documents and records, which together form the organisation’s safeguarding framework: 

Core Safeguarding Policies and Procedures 

• Safeguarding Reporting and Escalation Procedure 
• Managing Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers Procedure 
• Whistleblowing Policy 

Safeguarding Roles and Role Documents 

• Named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 
• Deputy Safeguarding Lead 
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Role Description 
• Deputy Safeguarding Lead Role Description 

Safeguarding Staff Compliance and Records 

• Enhanced DBS Checks for all tutors 
• Enhanced DBS Checks for staff who supervise or regularly interact with children 
• Single Central Record (SCR) of DBS Checks 
• Safeguarding Training Log for all tutors, staff and volunteers 
• Tutor Code of Conduct (safeguarding expectations) 

Safeguarding Information and Record Keeping 

• Child Protection and Safeguarding Record-Keeping System 
• Secure Storage of Safeguarding Records (in line with UK GDPR) 

 

5. Safeguarding Principles 

GradeSmart Tuition believes that: 

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind 
• The welfare of the child is paramount in all decisions and actions 
• All children have an equal right to protection from harm 
• Some children may require additional safeguards due to vulnerability, age, disability or circumstance 
• Children have a right to be listened to and taken seriously 

 

6. What We Will Do 

As part of our safeguarding commitment, GradeSmart Tuition will: 

• Provide safeguarding training so that staff and volunteers can recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse and neglect, including safeguarding training at induction and annual refresher training 
• Prevent the employment or deployment of unsuitable individuals through robust safer recruitment practices, including identity checks, appropriate references, safeguarding-focused recruitment questions and enhanced DBS checks where required 
• Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people 
• Value, listen to and respect children 
• Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation 
• Adopt safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct 
• Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding 
• Provide effective management, supervision, support and training for staff and volunteers 
• Take appropriate action in response to all concerns, including low-level concerns and allegations 
• Provide support to individuals who raise or report concerns 
• Maintain confidential, detailed and accurate safeguarding records 
• Record and store information securely in line with data protection legislation 
• Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputy and Safeguarding Trustee 
• Develop and implement appropriate online safety procedures 
• Share safeguarding information and good practice with children and parents 
• Ensure children and parents know where to go for help if they have a concern 

 

7. Safeguarding Practice 

GradeSmart Tuition is committed to safeguarding children and young people through: 

• Safer recruitment procedures including identity verification, appropriate references, safeguarding-focused recruitment questions and enhanced DBS checks for tutors and relevant staff 
• Safeguarding training for tutors and staff, including safeguarding training at induction and annual refresher training 
• Clear professional boundaries and codes of conduct 
• Prompt reporting and escalation of concerns 
• Secure handling and storage of safeguarding information 
• Partnership working with parents, carers and safeguarding agencies 
• Appropriate risk assessment of venues 
• Effective online safety arrangements where relevant 

Arrival and Collection Safeguarding 

GradeSmart Tuition operates clear procedures to ensure the safe arrival and collection of children attending tuition sessions. 

• Responsibility for the child remains with the parent/carer until the scheduled session start time and until the child has entered the teaching space and been acknowledged by the tutor. 
• Pupils should not arrive more than 5 minutes before the session start time, as supervision may not be available before this time. 
• At the end of the session, responsibility transfers back to the parent/carer, who must ensure prompt collection of their child. 
• If a parent/carer is late collecting a child, tutors will remain with the pupil for a reasonable safeguarding period while attempts are made to contact the parent/carer. 
• Children will only leave the venue alone if prior written permission has been provided by the parent/carer and the tutor considers it appropriate based on the child’s age and circumstances. 
• Any concerns relating to arrival, collection or supervision will be managed in line with the organisation’s safeguarding procedures. 

Behaviour and Peer Safeguarding 

GradeSmart Tuition recognises that safeguarding risks can arise between children as well as between adults and children. Appropriate behaviour standards are therefore expected from all pupils attending tuition.  

Tutors will promote a respectful, safe and inclusive learning environment and will not tolerate behaviour that places another child at risk.  

This includes, but is not limited to:  

• Bullying or intimidation  
• Physical aggression or threatening behaviour  
• Disruptive or unsafe conduct during sessions  

 

Any behaviour that causes harm, distress or risk to another pupil will be addressed promptly by the tutor and, where appropriate, parents/carers will be informed.  

Where behaviour raises safeguarding concerns, it will be recorded and managed in line with the organisation’s safeguarding procedures. 

Tutor Communication and Professional Boundaries 

All tutors must maintain clear professional boundaries when interacting with pupils.  

Tutors must not: 

• Communicate with pupils through personal social media accounts, messaging platforms or private online channels 
• Arrange private tutoring or meetings with pupils outside the GradeSmart Tuition system  
• Give personal gifts or items of value to pupils  

All communication relating to tuition must occur through approved channels involving parents or carers where appropriate.  

Any concerns about inappropriate communication or boundary issues must be reported in line with the organisation’s safeguarding procedures. 

 

Physical Contact 

GradeSmart Tuition recognises the importance of maintaining clear professional boundaries between tutors and pupils. 

Physical contact between staff and pupils should generally be avoided and must never be initiated in a way that could be considered inappropriate. 

Limited physical contact may occur only where necessary to prevent injury, ensure safety, or respond to an emergency situation. 

Any contact must be appropriate, proportionate and in the best interests of the child, and should be avoided wherever possible in favour of verbal guidance or instruction. 

8. Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities 

Due to the size of GradeSmart Tuition, the same individual may undertake the roles of Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputy DSL and Senior Safeguarding Lead. 

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 

Name: Temmar Ghani 

Role: Chair 

Email: Info@gradesmart.co.uk 

The DSL is responsible for receiving safeguarding concerns, making referrals to children’s social care, contacting the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where required, maintaining safeguarding records and ensuring policy compliance. 

Deputy Safeguarding Lead 

Name: Temmar Ghani 

Role: Chair 

Email: Info@gradesmart.co.uk 

Supports the DSL and acts in their absence. 

Trustee / Senior Lead for Safeguarding (Board Champion) 

Name: Temmar Ghani 

Role: Chair 

Email: Info@gradesmart.co.uk 

Provides governance oversight and ensures safeguarding standards are maintained. 

 

9. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns 

All safeguarding concerns must be reported in accordance with the Safeguarding Reporting and Escalation Procedure. 

In a safeguarding emergency, where a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999. 

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 

Children, young people and parents will be informed how to raise concerns and how to access external support if required. 

 

10. Monitoring and Review 

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required due to: 

• Changes in legislation or statutory guidance 
• Changes in organisational structure 
• Direction from the local safeguarding partnership 
• Any significant safeguarding incident or organisational change 

11. Policy Approval and Sign-off 

Signed: TEMMAR 

Name: Temmar Ghani 

Role: Chair / Safeguarding Lead 

Organisation: GradeSmart Tuition 

Date: 01/01/2026