Safeguarding Policy Document
This policy statement outlines Unlocking Dyslexia’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and well-being of all children. Our belief is that all young people have the fundamental right to experience a safe and nurturing childhood, free from any form of abuse, neglect or exploitation, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
We recognise that we have a duty of care to those who utilise our service and a responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare.
The purpose of this policy is to:
The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to create a safe and supportive environment for all young people who receive services from ‘Unlocking Dyslexia’.
We aim to:
- Protect students from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other forms of harm.
- To respond to any allegations and or any concerns relating to the welfare of a child or young adult for whom unlocking dyslexia provides tutoring or assessment services to.
- To provide staff as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
- To state the ongoing training we will undertake to ensure that safeguarding protocols are up to date and understood.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Unlocking Dyslexia.
This policy will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis or earlier if there is a change in safeguarding protocols.
Compliance with this policy will be monitored through regular audits and assessments of safeguarding practices.
Legal Framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children and vulnerable adults, namely:
- Children Act 1989;
- United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991;
- Data Protection Act 1998;
- Sexual Offences Act 2003;
- Children Act 2004;
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012;
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (2019)
- Working together to Safeguard Children 2018
- Other relevant government guidance on safeguarding children.
A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from: www.nspcc.org.uk/childprotection
Responsibilities
All tutors are responsible for safeguarding students and reporting any concerns or suspicions of abuse or neglect.
We recognise that:
- The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
- All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
- Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
- Following the PATOSS and British dyslexia association ethical guidelines for practice
- Establishing a safe environment where our children and young people can learn and develop
- Valuing, listening to and respecting them
- Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct
- Ensuring that we have read, understood and work within the safeguarding policy of schools we are visiting
- When working with children and young people in their own home, ensuring that the child’s parent, or an adult trusted by the child’s parent, is in the next room within earshot
- Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
- Recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
- Making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
- Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
- Take all concerns and allegations of abuse and/or poor practice seriously and respond appropriately, accepting that this may require a referral to children’s services and in emergencies, the police.
We take the following safeguarding measures during an assessment and 1:1 tuition at Unlocking Dyslexia:
- The assessment/tuition will be carried out in an area with either a window or windowed door.
- Parents/guardians are welcome to stay for the duration of the assessment/tuition in the same or an adjoining room
- If parents/guardians are unable to stay, children will be asked to verbally confirm that they are comfortable with being left
- The assessor/tutor will have access to a charged mobile phone and the parent’s mobile phone number so that if they need to, they can call the parent back
- Parents/guardians will be asked to tell the assessor/tutor where they are planning to go during the assessment and will be asked not to travel more than 30 minutes away from the location.
Code of Conduct
Tutors are expected to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor at all times when interacting with students and parents/carers.
Physical contact with students should be limited to situations where it is necessary for educational purposes and must always be appropriate and non-intrusive.
Useful Contacts
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111
National Youth Advocacy Service: 0808 808 1001
Bullying UK: 0808 800 2222
Children’s Social Care Bath Area & North East Somerset Area: 01225 396111 or 01225 477929
By participating in our tutoring and assessment services, you agree to adhere to this safeguarding policy and contribute to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
Contact Details
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our safeguarding policy or procedures, please contact our designated Safeguarding Officer.
Nominated child protection lead Name: Claire Gibbons
Email: Claire@Unlocking-Dyslexia.com
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
This policy was last reviewed on: 2/1/2025