SAFEGUARDING Policy

Woodford Education Ltd

Policy Owner: Director
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Rebecca Chere
Policy Review Date: Annually
Next Review Due: September 2026

1. Safeguarding Statement

Woodford Education Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All adults working with children have a duty to maintain a culture of vigilance, to recognise concerns, and to act promptly where a child may be at risk of harm.

Our safeguarding practices are informed by national guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, published by the Department for Education.

We believe that every child has the right to:

• feel safe, secure and respected

• be listened to and taken seriously

• learn in an environment free from harm or exploitation

• develop confidence and wellbeing alongside academic progress

Safeguarding underpins all aspects of our work.

2. Scope of this Policy

This policy applies to:

• all staff and tutors working with Woodford Education Ltd

• contractors and visiting tutors

• online and in-person tutoring sessions

• any interaction with pupils and families through Woodford Education services
  

It applies to all children receiving tuition, assessment or educational consultancy through the organisation.

3. Definition of Safeguarding

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children includes:

• protecting children from maltreatment

• preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development

• ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care

• taking action to enable all children to have the best possible outcomes
  

4. Safeguarding Leadership

Woodford Education Ltd has a clear safeguarding structure.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Rebecca Chere, Director

The DSL is responsible for:

• overseeing safeguarding procedures

• receiving and managing safeguarding concerns

• maintaining safeguarding records

• liaising with local safeguarding partners where required

• ensuring tutors understand their safeguarding responsibilities

Where necessary, concerns will be referred to relevant external agencies including children’s services.

5. Safer Recruitment

Woodford Education Ltd is committed to safer recruitment practices.

Before tutors begin working with pupils:

• Enhanced DBS checks are obtained where appropriate

• identity is verified

• professional references are checked

• qualifications and experience are reviewe

Tutors are expected to demonstrate:

• professional integrity

• appropriate conduct with children

• awareness of safeguarding responsibilities
  

6. Staff Responsibilities

All tutors and staff must:

• maintain professional boundaries with pupils

• create a safe and respectful learning environment

• remain alert to safeguarding concerns

• report concerns immediately to the DSL

• record factual information if concerns arise
  

Staff must never:

• ignore safeguarding concerns

• promise confidentiality to a child where a safeguarding issue is disclosed

• investigate concerns independently
  

7. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may arise through:

• direct disclosure by a child

• observation of behaviour or emotional distress

• patterns of absence or withdrawal

• concerning comments made during sessions

Possible indicators of harm may include:

• significant changes in behaviour

• anxiety, fear or distress

• unexplained injuries

• signs of neglect or emotional harm

Staff should remain vigilant and respond appropriately to concerns.

8. Responding to a Disclosure

If a child discloses information suggesting they may be at risk:

Staff should:

• remain calm and listen carefully

• take the child seriously

• reassure the child that they have done the right thing in speaking

• avoid asking leading questions

• explain that information may need to be shared with someone who can help

The concern must then be reported immediately to the DSL.

9. Recording and Reporting Concerns

All safeguarding concerns must be:

• recorded factually

• dated and signed

• shared promptly with the Designated Safeguarding Lead

The DSL will determine appropriate next steps, which may include consultation with safeguarding professionals, early help services, or referral to children’s social care where required.

10. Online Safety

Where tutoring takes place online:

• sessions are conducted through secure platforms

• parents are encouraged to be aware of sessions

• tutors must maintain professional communication at all times

• private or unsupervised communication outside agreed channels is not permitted

Online safety is treated with the same seriousness as in-person safeguarding.

11. Professional Boundaries

Tutors must maintain clear professional boundaries at all times.

This includes:

• appropriate language and conduct

• communication through agreed professional channels only

• no contact with pupils through personal social media

• maintaining a respectful and professional learning relationship

12. Confidentiality

Safeguarding information is treated sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where:

• a child is at risk of harm

• safeguarding concerns require referral to external agencies

The welfare of the child will always take priority.

13. Allegations Against Staff

If an allegation is made regarding the conduct of a tutor or member of staff:

• the concern must be reported immediately to the Director

• appropriate safeguarding procedures will be followed

• where appropriate, concerns may be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or other relevant safeguarding authorities

14. Whistleblowing

Woodford Education Ltd encourages staff and tutors to raise concerns about the conduct of colleagues where this may impact the safety or welfare of children.

Concerns should be raised with the Director. All concerns will be taken seriously and handled appropriately.

15. Low-Level Concerns

Woodford Education Ltd recognises the importance of addressing low-level concerns regarding adult behaviour.

Staff are encouraged to report any behaviour that may appear inconsistent with professional standards so that concerns can be considered and addressed appropriately.

16. Safeguarding Training

All tutors and staff working with Woodford Education Ltd are expected to have an awareness of safeguarding responsibilities.

Where appropriate, tutors will receive safeguarding guidance and are expected to understand how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns.

17. Safeguarding Culture

Woodford Education Ltd seeks to maintain a safeguarding culture in which:

• children feel safe and valued

• families feel confident raising concerns

• staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities

• safeguarding practice is regularly reviewed

Safeguarding is embedded in the ethos of our work.

18. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually to ensure alignment with national guidance and best practice.