Online Safety & Safeguarding

1.1 The Local Teachers is committed to ensuring the highest possible standard of safeguarding. The personal safety and wellbeing of each student and tutor is paramount to us.

1.2 Our site and centers were developed with the aim of ensuring that tuition sessions take place in a safe environment. This is reflected in a number of key built-in features and defined by a set of policies and procedures put in place for our students, parents/responsible adults and our staff.

2. Legislative Framework/Related Policies

2.1 These policies and procedures aim to ensure that all persons using our services can do so safely within child safeguarding standards and UK law.

These policies should be read in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions and the procedures.

3. Aims

3.1 The aim of this policy is to safeguard all students and other persons using The Local Teachers’ services whilst they are within a tuition session.

3.2 This policy document contains the responsibilities of all persons using The Local Teachers, including tutors, students, parents (responsible adults) and teachers.

3.3 It is important that all persons using or working on behalf of The Local Teachers are aware of this policy and have familiarised themselves with the detailed safeguarding procedures.

3.4 This policy should be read and understood before engaging in any activity arranged through The Local Teachers and the responsibilities and procedures therein adhered to. Contravention of the policy document could lead to suspension and/or barring from the services (see Compliance section).

4. General Information

Registration of Tutors
4.1 The Local Teachers conducts a interview with all tutors as part of the selection process and will request photo identification documents (such as a student card, passport or driving licence). The Local Teachers will only transfer payment to tutors holding a personal bank account in the United Kingdom.

4.2 The Local Teachers gives preference to tutors who self-certify that they have CRB/DBS certificates and this information will be displayed on the site against each tutor’s information. We do not check CRB or DBS certificates; however parents or schools are entitled to ask the tutor to verify this during the booking process.

4.3 The Local Teachers has a process of continual ratings and will encourage students and parents to provide feedback about the tutors. This enables prospective students and parents responsible adults to choose the tutor best suited to their needs (also see Tutor Policy).

5. Privacy

5.1 The initial contact will always be via the parents or guardians. The tutor will not be able to initiate first email contact with parents or students. All communication between tutor and student will be via parents

5.2 All data held by The Local Teachers is in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (also see Privacy Policy, terms and conditions)

6. Recording of sessions

6.1 We follow up every introduction of student to tutor. Tutors submit a session summary report and students parents are followed up with telephone call to make sure the session went well.

6.2 The Local Teachers may review any sessions where a report has been made by any person using The Local Teachers for the purpose of investigating the report.

6.3 The Local Teachers will allow access to UK law enforcement of any recording where it is reported a criminal offence may have occurred in relation to a specific session (also see The Local Teachers Terms and Conditions).

Roles and Responsibilities of persons using The Local Teachers

7. The Tutor

7.1 The tutor shall:
Ensure that their environment does not display any inappropriate images or documentation capable of being viewed by the student or parent/responsible adult when conducting a session.
Treat students fairly and without prejudice or discrimination; students who have a disability or come from a minority ethnic or cultural group can easily become victims of discrimination and prejudice which may be harmful to the student’s well being.

8. The Student

8.1 Students can register with the service but cannot start using the service until a sponsor/parent/guardian/carer over the age of 18 has formally registered and agreed to be the formal sponsor and to hold legal relationship with the site.

8.2 The student shall:

9. Parent/Responsible adult

9.1 The parent/responsible adult shall:

Be aware that tutors will be writing a summery reporting about every session.

10. Center and teachers/school representative (if session is within school hours and on center premises)

10.1 For the purpose of this policy document a ‘responsible adult’ includes teachers and school representatives.

10.2 The center and teachers or school representative shall:
Be responsible for the welfare of the student during the session.
Be responsible for the physical environment of the student during the session, ensuring that it is safe and appropriate.

11.0 Director/Management of The Local Teachers Services

11.1 The Director/Management of The Local Teachers shall:

12. Compliance

12.1 All persons using the The Local Teachers services have a responsibility to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding Policy.

12.2 Any tutor reported for a breach of the Safeguarding Policy will be suspended from the site until the incident has been investigated by the appropriate authority. The reporter may be informed of the resolution if appropriate.

12.3 The final decision on action taken for minor breaches of the Safeguarding Policy will be the responsibility of The Local Teachers.

12.4 Any person reported for illegal activity whilst using the The Local Teachers services will be reported to police and will be barred from the service.

12.5 Any person reported for causing harm to a student or subjecting the student to sexual abuse will be reported to police and barred from the service.

13. Review

13.1 The Safeguarding Policy and procedures will be reviewed by The Local Teachers on a regular basis to ensure it is adequate and relevant to safeguarding standards.