Safeguarding Policy

This policy applies to all staff, including tutors, administrators, and anyone working on behalf of HRB Education.

Tutors: All tutors, whether part-time, full-time, freelance, or contracted, are included. They are often the closest to the students and play a crucial role in identifying and responding to safeguarding issues.

Administrative Staff: This includes office staff, coordinators, and anyone involved in the day-to-day running of HRB Education. Their involvement in safeguarding is essential, as they may handle sensitive information or be in positions to notice changes in student circumstances.

Support and Ancillary Staff: This encompasses individuals who may not have direct teaching responsibilities but are still involved in the environment where teaching and learning occur. This includes technical support staff, librarians, or anyone else who interacts with students.

Volunteers and Interns: Even those not employed directly but working within HRB Education are bound by this policy. This ensures a consistent approach to safeguarding across all levels of the organization.

External Contractors: Any external contractors or consultants working with HRB Education must comply with this policy. They should be made aware of their responsibilities and the procedures they must follow.

Staff should be aware of signs of abuse and neglect and be trained to respond appropriately. This includes changes in behaviour, physical signs of harm, and any disclosure made by the student.

Physical Signs: Unexplained injuries such as bruises, burns, or fractures. Indicators of physical neglect may include poor hygiene, inappropriate clothing for weather conditions, and consistent hunger.

Behavioural Changes: Sudden changes in behavior can be indicative of abuse. This may manifest as withdrawal, aggression, fearfulness, or a decline in academic performance. Behavioural changes may also include inappropriate sexual behavior or language for the child’s age.

Emotional Indicators: Signs such as extreme anxiety, depression, or withdrawal could suggest emotional abuse. This might also include a child being overly eager to please adults or a reluctance to go home

Changes in Communication: A child’s disclosure of abuse is a critical sign. This may not always be direct and could come through hints or changes in storytelling or play.

Neglect: Signs of neglect might include consistently being left alone without appropriate care, lack of supervision, or the absence of necessary medical or dental care.

Training in Response Protocols: Staff must be trained not only to recognize these signs but also in how to respond appropriately. This includes knowing who to report to within the organization, how to document concerns, and understanding the importance of confidentiality and sensitivity in handling such cases.

Any concerns about a student’s welfare should be reported immediately to the designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Immediate Reporting: Any staff member who has concerns about a student's welfare is required to report these concerns immediately. Delays can exacerbate risks to the child.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): HRB Education will appoint a DSL who is specifically trained and responsible for handling safeguarding issues. All concerns should be reported directly to the DSL, ensuring that a centralized, knowledgeable individual is managing these sensitive matters.

Clear Communication Channels: Establish clear channels for reporting concerns, ensuring they are easily accessible and understood by all staff. This might include a dedicated email, phone number, or online reporting system.

Record-Keeping: Staff should document their concerns in writing, detailing observations and any relevant information. This record should be factual and avoid assumptions or interpretations.

Confidentiality: While maintaining confidentiality is important, safeguarding the welfare of the child takes precedence. Information should only be shared with those who need to know to protect the child.

Training in Response Protocols: Staff must be trained not only to recognize these signs but also in how to respond appropriately. This includes knowing who to report to within the organization, how to document concerns, and understanding the importance of confidentiality and sensitivity in handling such cases.

Escalation to External Authorities: In cases where the concern involves the DSL, or if there is a belief that the issue has not been adequately addressed, staff should escalate the matter to appropriate external authorities. This could include local child protection services, the police, or relevant legal authorities.

Support for the Reporter: Recognize the emotional impact that reporting a safeguarding concern can have on the individual. HRB Education should provide support to staff members who report concerns, ensuring they feel supported and protected.

Whistleblowing Policy: Implement a whistleblowing policy that encourages staff to come forward with concerns, even if these involve senior staff members, and ensures protection against retaliation.

Review and Feedback: After a concern is reported, there should be a follow-up to review the effectiveness of the response and provide feedback to the person who raised the concern.

HRB Education places a high priority on the continuous training and awareness of its staff in safeguarding matters.

Comprehensive Training Program: We will implement a comprehensive training program that covers all aspects of safeguarding, including recognizing signs of abuse or neglect, understanding legal responsibilities, and adhering to our internal policies and procedures.

Regular Updates and Refresher Courses: Training will not be a one-off event. Regular updates and refresher courses will be scheduled to ensure that all staff members are up to date with the latest safeguarding practices and legislative changes.

Role-Specific Training: Understanding that different roles may encounter different situations, we will provide role-specific training that is tailored to the unique responsibilities of each staff member.

External Experts and Resources: Utilizing external experts and resources for training to provide staff with the most current and comprehensive information on safeguarding.

Creating a Culture of Vigilance: Promoting a culture of vigilance and responsibility where all staff members are encouraged to be proactive in safeguarding matters. This includes understanding how to recognize and respond to concerns about a child’s welfare.

HRB Education is dedicated to ensuring that all staff members, especially those in contact with children and vulnerable adults, are thoroughly vetted and suitable for their roles.

Background Checks: Implementing rigorous background checks for all new hires, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in the UK, or equivalent checks in other jurisdictions.

Reference Checks: Conducting thorough reference checks from previous employers to verify the candidate’s qualifications and suitability for working with children and vulnerable adults.

Interview Process: Incorporating safeguarding questions and scenarios into the interview process to assess the candidate’s understanding and approach to safeguarding issues.

Onboarding Process: During the onboarding process, new staff will be introduced to our safeguarding policies and procedures. This ensures they are aware of their responsibilities from the very start.

Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitoring and evaluating staff members post-recruitment to ensure ongoing compliance with safeguarding policies.

Staff must adhere to professional boundaries at all times. This includes appropriate language and behavior, maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment, and avoiding unsupervised contact with students outside of scheduled sessions.

When offering online tutoring, HRB Education commits to prioritizing student safety through a multi-faceted approach:

Secure Video Conferencing Platforms: Usage of secure, reputable video conferencing tools with end-to-end encryption to protect the privacy and security of online sessions. Features like password protection, waiting rooms, and the ability to control screen sharing and participant entry will be utilized to maintain a secure learning environment.

Monitoring Online Interactions: Tutors will be trained to monitor and manage online interactions effectively. This includes recognizing inappropriate behavior, managing disruptions, and ensuring a respectful and safe online learning atmosphere.

Data Protection Compliance: Adherence to data protection laws such as GDPR is crucial. We will ensure that personal data of students and staff are handled securely and lawfully, with clear policies on data storage, usage, and sharing.

Safe Communication Channels: Establishing safe and transparent channels for communication between tutors, students, and parents. This includes using official email addresses and avoiding personal contact through social media or unapproved platforms.

Training and Awareness: Regular training for staff and tutors on online safety, digital literacy, and awareness of the potential risks associated with online tutoring. This also includes educating students and parents on safe practices during online sessions.

HRB Education is committed to inclusive education, ensuring that students with disabilities receive the support they need:

Understanding Individual Needs: Tutors will be trained to understand and recognize the diverse needs of students with disabilities. This includes awareness of different types of disabilities and how they may affect learning and interaction.

Reasonable Adjustments: Implementing reasonable adjustments in teaching methods and materials to accommodate the specific needs of students with disabilities. This could include providing accessible learning materials, using assistive technologies, and adjusting communication methods.

Collaboration with Specialists: Where necessary, collaboration with special education professionals or therapists to design and deliver effective tutoring sessions. This might involve consulting with occupational therapists, speech therapists, or educational psychologists.

Creating an Inclusive Environment: Promoting an inclusive learning environment that respects and values the diversity of all students. This includes fostering an atmosphere of understanding and empathy among all students and staff.

Regular Review and Feedback: Regularly reviewing the effectiveness of the support provided to students with disabilities and seeking feedback from students, parents, and educators to continuously improve our practices.

This policy will be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary. The effectiveness of HRB Education’s safeguarding procedures will be continuously monitored to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Thomas Harley – thomas@hrbeducation.co.uk