The welfare of every child is our first consideration. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and concerns are taken seriously, recorded appropriately and shared with the relevant authorities where necessary.
1. Purpose and scope
This policy applies to Compass Academy Ltd, its directors, tutors, contractors and anyone acting on its behalf. It covers online tuition, assessments, communications, learning materials and any other activity involving a child or young person.
Our approach is informed by child-protection law and safeguarding guidance applicable in England. We recognise that every child has the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and avoidable harm.
2. Safeguarding responsibility and contact
The safeguarding contact for Compass Academy is Punit Chhaya, Founder. Concerns about a student, tutor or Compass Academy activity should be reported as soon as possible to info@compass-academy.co.uk with “Safeguarding concern” in the subject line.
Registered office: Compass Academy Ltd, 124 City Road, London, England, EC1V 2NX. This is a correspondence address and not a tuition venue.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. A safeguarding concern should not be delayed while waiting for Compass Academy to respond.
3. Tutor selection, DBS checks and QTS
Compass Academy may work with qualified teachers and other carefully selected subject specialists. Not every tutor necessarily holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and we will not describe a tutor as holding QTS unless that is accurate.
QTS and safeguarding suitability are separate matters. Before having direct teaching contact with students, every Compass Academy tutor must complete our identity and suitability checks and hold an appropriate Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We may also seek references, verify relevant experience and complete any further checks appropriate to the role.
Tutors must disclose any matter that could affect their suitability to work with children. Compass Academy may suspend or end a tutor’s involvement where a check, concern or conduct issue makes this necessary.
4. Standards of conduct
Tutors must maintain clear professional boundaries and must never:
- form an inappropriate personal relationship with a student;
- use sexualised, discriminatory, threatening or humiliating language;
- exchange personal social-media details or communicate through unapproved private channels;
- request unnecessary personal information, images or recordings from a student;
- meet a student in person without prior written agreement from the parent or guardian and Compass Academy; or
- promise to keep a safeguarding disclosure secret.
Communication about tuition should ordinarily take place through Compass Academy or with the parent or guardian included. Any necessary direct communication with a student must be appropriate, transparent and limited to the educational purpose.
5. Online tuition and recordings
Online sessions must use an agreed platform and take place in an appropriate professional setting. Students should join using their own name and should not share access links publicly. Parents and guardians are responsible for providing a suitable learning environment and should remain reasonably available where appropriate for the student’s age and needs.
Cameras are optional for both students and tutors. A camera may be invited where it helps communication, but keeping it off must not prevent participation. Audio, chat, screen-sharing and shared working tools are acceptable alternatives.
A session must not be recorded, photographed or shared by Compass Academy, a tutor or a student without a clear lawful purpose and the necessary permission. Any authorised recording must be stored securely, accessed only by authorised people and deleted when it is no longer needed.
6. Recognising safeguarding concerns
Concerns may arise from something a student says, a change in behaviour, an injury, online activity, information from another person or conduct observed during a session. They may relate to physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, domestic abuse, self-harm, radicalisation, online harm or another risk to welfare.
Tutors are not expected to investigate or prove abuse. Their responsibility is to remain calm, listen, avoid leading questions, make an accurate record and report the concern promptly.
7. Responding to a disclosure or concern
When a student shares a concern, the adult should listen carefully, take the child seriously and explain that the information may need to be shared with people who can help. They should not confront an alleged perpetrator or conduct their own investigation.
Compass Academy will consider the child’s immediate safety and share relevant information with the parent or guardian, local authority children’s services, the police or another safeguarding professional when appropriate. Information may be shared without consent where this is necessary to protect a child or another person.
8. Concerns or allegations about a tutor
Any concern that a tutor or other adult may have harmed a child, behaved inappropriately or presented a risk must be reported immediately. Compass Academy may remove the adult from student contact while the matter is considered.
Where appropriate, Compass Academy will consult or refer the matter to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer, children’s services, police, DBS or other competent authority. We will not undertake action that could obstruct a statutory investigation.
9. Records, confidentiality and information sharing
Safeguarding records will be factual, dated and stored securely with access limited to those who need the information. Safeguarding information is not treated as ordinary teaching feedback and will not be disclosed more widely than necessary.
Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where a child may be at risk. Decisions about sharing information will be guided by the safety and best interests of the child, applicable law and professional safeguarding advice.
10. Responsibilities of parents, guardians and students
Parents and guardians should provide accurate contact and relevant welfare information, tell us promptly about concerns, and support appropriate online behaviour. Students are expected to communicate respectfully, protect their login details and report anything that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
11. Additional help
For immediate danger, call 999. Adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children and young people can contact Childline free on 0800 1111.
12. Training and review
Tutors must understand and agree to follow this policy before working with students, and must follow reasonable safeguarding instructions issued by Compass Academy. This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner following a serious incident, material operational change or relevant legal or guidance update.