Safeguarding Policy

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding.

Although A Level Revision UK only has contact with students for short periods of time tutors play a particularly important role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating. If necessary, A Level Revision UK will work with social care, the police, health services and other services to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy: A Level Revision UK

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): A. Chadd

1. Policy Statement & Philosophy

A Level Revision UK acknowledges that the welfare of the child is paramount. We are committed to a culture of vigilance where safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff. We aim to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, neglect, and exploitation, ensuring their safety and well-being regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

2. Definitions

  • Child/Young Person: Any individual under the age of 18.

  • Vulnerable Adult: An individual aged 18 or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

  • Staff: Includes all employees, contractors (tutors), volunteers, and directors.

3. Staffing & Responsibilities

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is A. Chadd.

The DSL is responsible for:

  • Acting as the main point of contact for any safeguarding concerns.

  • Maintaining confidential records of all concerns and referrals.

  • Liaising with Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO) and Social Care.

  • Ensuring this policy is reviewed annually and reflects current UK legislation.

4. Safer Recruitment

A Level Revision UK operates a rigorous recruitment process. No tutor shall commence work until:

  • An Enhanced DBS Check has been verified.

  • Two references have been obtained.

  • Identity documents have been sighted.

  • Training: All tutors must provide evidence of Safeguarding Training completed within the last 2 years.

5. Online Tutoring & Digital Safety

  • Platform Security: Tutors must use approved platforms and ensure waiting rooms are enabled.

  • Environment: Tutors and students must be in a neutral area (not a bedroom) and appropriately dressed.

  • Communication: All contact must be through company-approved channels. Tutors must never engage with students via personal social media or private messaging apps unless within an approved group (e.g., WhatsApp).

  • Recordings: If sessions are recorded for quality/safety, students and parents must be informed.

6. Recognizing Abuse & Specific Issues

Staff must be alert to signs of the four main categories: Physical, Emotional, Sexual Abuse, and Neglect. In accordance with KCSIE, staff must also be aware of specific risks including, but not limited to:

  • Peer-on-Peer Abuse: Including "sexting," initiation rituals, and sexual harassment.

  • Prevent Duty: Identifying signs of radicalization or extremist ideologies.

  • Contextual Safeguarding: Recognizing risks outside the home (e.g., county lines, grooming, CSE).

  • Mental Health: Recognizing that a student’s mental health issue may be a safeguarding indicator.

7. Procedures for Disclosure & Reporting

If a student discloses abuse, staff must:

  1. Receive: Listen calmly. Do not show shock.

  2. Reassure: Tell the student they did the right thing. Do not promise confidentiality; explain you must tell the DSL to keep them safe.

  3. React: Do not ask leading questions or "investigate."

  4. Record: Write down exactly what was said (using the student's words) immediately.

  5. Report: Inform the DSL (A. Chadd) within one hour of the disclosure.

8. Professional Boundaries & Low-Level Concerns

A relationship of trust exists between tutor and student.

  • Physical Intervention: Only permitted in extreme circumstances to prevent immediate physical harm to the student or others.

  • Low-Level Concerns: A Level Revision UK encourages a culture where "low-level" concerns—small conduct breaches that do not meet the harm threshold—are reported to the DSL. This prevents the "grooming" of environments and ensures tutor conduct remains exemplary.

9. Allegations Against Staff

Any allegation against a tutor or staff member will be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 24 hours. The staff member may be suspended without prejudice pending an investigation. We follow the procedures outlined in Part 4 of KCSIE for managing such allegations.

10. Record Keeping & Confidentiality

  • All records are stored securely.

  • Information is shared only on a "need to know" basis.

  • In line with GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018, records are kept for as long as necessary (usually until the child reaches age 25).

Updated December 2025