Safeguarding Policy

Last Updated: March 2026  |  Reviewed annually or following any safeguarding incident

1 Scope

This policy applies to:

• All students receiving one-to-one tutoring from Mr K Psychology, particularly those under 18
• All students and participants in live online masterclasses and group sessions
• All communication between Mr K and students or parents/guardians
• Access to the student portal, digital resources, and all related services

2 Key Safeguarding Principles

3 One-to-One Tutoring Sessions

Session Platform & Cameras

• All one-to-one sessions are conducted via LessonSpace, a professional, secure online tutoring platform
• Mr K’s camera remains on throughout all sessions for transparency and professional accountability
• Students are encouraged but not required to have their camera on during one-to-one sessions; this should be agreed between the student, parent, and tutor at the outset
• For students under 18, a parent or guardian must be present in the home during all sessions

Recording of One-to-One Sessions

• One-to-one sessions are not routinely recorded
• If a session is to be recorded (e.g. for the student’s revision), this requires prior written consent from both the student and their parent or guardian
• Any recording is stored securely and deleted within 90 days unless a safeguarding matter requires retention
• Recordings are never shared with third parties without explicit written consent

Communication Guidelines

• Email is the primary and preferred communication channel for all correspondence
• For students under 18, a parent or guardian must be copied in on all email communications
• Direct one-to-one messaging via WhatsApp or any other private platform is not permitted with students under 18 under any circumstances
• All communications are kept professional, educational, and appropriate at all times
• Communication is conducted during reasonable hours (9am–9pm) and professional boundaries are maintained

4 Live Masterclasses & Group Sessions

Camera Policy for Masterclasses

Live masterclasses are group online sessions attended by multiple students. To protect the privacy and safety of all participants:

• Mr K’s camera is on throughout all masterclass sessions
• Student cameras are off by default for group masterclasses — this protects students’ home environments, personal privacy, and prevents exposure of one student’s setting to others
• Students may use the chat function and audio to ask questions or participate
• This policy exists to safeguard all participants and is not negotiable

Recording of Masterclasses

• All live masterclasses are recorded for safeguarding, quality assurance, and session replay purposes
• Participants are clearly informed of recording before each session begins, and recording consent is obtained during the registration process
• Recordings capture only Mr K’s screen, audio, and camera — student cameras are not recorded as they remain off
• Recordings are stored securely and deleted after 90 days unless required for a safeguarding matter or retained as a purchased replay resource
• Where recordings are offered as replay access to registered participants, this is clearly communicated at registration

Registration & Parental Consent for Masterclasses

• All masterclass registrations include a mandatory parental/guardian consent checkbox for students under 18
• By completing registration, the parent or guardian confirms they consent to their child’s participation, the recording policy, and the terms of this Safeguarding Policy
• Students under 18 may not participate without confirmed parental consent
• Parent/guardian email addresses are collected at registration for all under-18 participants

Group Session Conduct

• All content is educational, professional, and appropriate for A-Level students aged 16–18
• Mr K will not engage in one-to-one private chat with individual students during group sessions
• Any safeguarding concerns arising during a session will be addressed privately after the session, not in front of the group

5 Recognising Abuse and Harm

We remain vigilant for signs that a student may be experiencing abuse, harm, or distress. This includes but is not limited to:

Types of Abuse

• Physical abuse: Unexplained injuries, fearful behaviour, reluctance to discuss home life
• Emotional abuse: Significant changes in behaviour, persistent low self-esteem, withdrawal, anxiety
• Sexual abuse: Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, unexplained behavioural changes
• Neglect: Appearing excessively tired or hungry, lack of supervision
• Online abuse/exploitation: Cyberbullying, inappropriate online contact, sharing of explicit material

Other Concerns

• Significant and unexplained decline in academic engagement
• Frequent unexplained absences or session cancellations
• Disclosure of self-harm, substance use, or other harmful behaviour
• Concerning statements about relationships or home circumstances
• Signs of acute mental health distress

6 Reporting Concerns

If You Are a Student

• Speak to your parent or guardian immediately
• Contact us at mrkpsychology1@gmail.com
• You have the right to feel safe and respected at all times — no concern is too small to raise

If You Are a Parent or Guardian

• Contact us immediately at mrkpsychology1@gmail.com
• We will acknowledge your concern within 24 hours and respond fully within 48 hours
• All concerns are taken seriously and investigated promptly

If Mr K Has a Safeguarding Concern

• The concern will be documented immediately with date, time, and specific details
• The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted as soon as possible, unless doing so would place the child at greater risk
• Where appropriate, the concern will be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or children’s social services
• Full cooperation will be given to any statutory investigation
• All safeguarding records will be retained securely in line with statutory guidance

7 Allegations Against the Tutor

Any allegation of inappropriate conduct by Mr K will be treated with the utmost seriousness:

• Parents or students should report concerns immediately to mrkpsychology1@gmail.com
• Concerns can also be reported directly to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) — search “LADO” and your local authority name, or contact the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline on 0808 028 0285
• Full cooperation will be given to any investigation by relevant authorities
• Session recordings (where they exist) may be provided to investigating authorities

8 Confidentiality and Information Sharing

• All student information is kept confidential and stored securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy
• Information is only shared where necessary for safeguarding purposes
• Parents and guardians are kept informed of student progress and any concerns, except where doing so would increase risk to the child
• We may be required to share information with statutory agencies without the student’s consent where safeguarding is at stake

9 Professional Conduct and Safe Working Practices

Boundaries

• Professional boundaries are maintained at all times in all interactions
• Personal contact with students outside of approved professional channels is not permitted
• Friend or follow requests on personal social media from students are not accepted
• All students are treated with dignity, respect, and equality

Digital Safety

• Only approved platforms are used for tutoring and group sessions (LessonSpace)
• All communication is traceable and appropriate
• Inappropriate contact from students is reported and documented

10 Student Wellbeing

Beyond preventing harm, we actively support student wellbeing by creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. We encourage open communication and respond to signs of stress, anxiety, or difficulty by signposting students to appropriate support services.

Support Resources

• Childline: 0800 1111 — childline.org.uk (confidential support for young people)
• YoungMinds: youngminds.org.uk (mental health support for young people)
• The Mix: 0808 808 4994 — themix.org.uk (support for under-25s)
• Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7 emotional support, free to call)

11 Parental Involvement

Parents and guardians are active partners in safeguarding. For students under 18, we ask that you:

• Be present in the home during all one-to-one tutoring sessions
• Ensure your child understands appropriate online communication and behaviour
• Maintain open communication with your child about their tutoring and masterclass experience
• Raise any concerns with us promptly — however small they may seem
• Review this policy and ensure your child understands our safeguarding procedures

12 Related Policies

This Safeguarding Policy should be read alongside:

• Privacy & Cookie Policy
• Terms & Conditions — Products
• Terms & Conditions — Tutoring Services (where applicable)

13 Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually and following any safeguarding incident or change in relevant legislation or guidance. Significant changes will be communicated to all current students and parents. The updated policy will be posted on our website with a revised “Last Updated” date.