Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: August 2026  |  Reviewed annually and after any safeguarding incident

1 Scope

This policy applies to:

• All students receiving one-to-one tutoring, in particular those under 18
• All participants in live online masterclasses and group sessions
• All communication between Mr K and students or their parents and guardians
• Access to digital resources, recordings and any student area of the website

2 Key principles

3 One-to-one tutoring

Platform and cameras

• One-to-one sessions are conducted on a professional, secure online tutoring platform
• Mr K’s camera remains on throughout every session, for transparency and accountability
• Students are encouraged but not required to have their camera on. This is agreed between student, parent and tutor at the outset
• Where the student is under 18, a parent or guardian should be present in the home during sessions

Recording of one-to-one sessions

• One-to-one sessions are not routinely recorded
• Where a session is to be recorded, for example for the student’s own revision, this requires prior written consent from both the student and their parent or guardian
• Any such recording is stored securely and deleted within 90 days, unless a safeguarding matter requires it to be kept
• Recordings are never shared with anyone else without explicit written consent

Communication

• Email is the only channel used for correspondence with students
• Where the student is under 18, a parent or guardian is copied into all email communication
• Private messaging with a student under 18 through WhatsApp, social media, or any other personal platform is not permitted under any circumstances
• All communication is professional, educational and appropriate
• Communication takes place during reasonable hours, between 9am and 9pm

4 Live masterclasses and group sessions

Cameras

Masterclasses are group sessions attended by multiple students. To protect everyone taking part:

• Mr K’s camera is on throughout
• Student cameras are off by default. This protects each student’s home environment and privacy, and prevents one student’s surroundings being visible to others
• Students participate using the chat function, and may use audio to ask questions
• This policy exists to safeguard all participants and is not negotiable

Recording

• All live masterclasses are recorded. Participants are told at registration and again before each session begins
• Recording captures Mr K’s screen, audio and camera only. Student cameras are off and are never recorded
• A question asked aloud by a participant may be audible on the recording. Any participant who prefers not to be recorded may ask questions in writing instead, and this is stated at the start of every session
• Recordings are provided to everyone registered for that session, and may also be offered for separate purchase afterwards. They are therefore retained on an ongoing basis as part of the product
• Recordings are stored in access-restricted hosting and are not published publicly

Registration and parental consent

• Registration includes a mandatory parental or guardian consent step for students under 18
• By completing registration, the parent or guardian consents to participation, to the recording policy, and to the terms of this policy
• A student under 18 may not take part without confirmed parental consent
• A parent or guardian email address is collected for every under-18 participant

Conduct

• All content is educational and appropriate for students aged 16 to 18
• Mr K does not engage in private one-to-one chat with individual students during group sessions
• Any safeguarding concern arising during a session is addressed privately afterwards, never in front of the group

5 Recognising abuse and harm

We stay alert to signs that a student may be experiencing abuse, harm or distress, including:

Types of abuse

• Physical abuse: unexplained injuries, fearfulness, reluctance to discuss home life
• Emotional abuse: marked behavioural change, persistent low self-esteem, withdrawal, anxiety
• Sexual abuse: age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, unexplained behavioural change
• Neglect: appearing consistently tired, hungry or unsupervised
• Online abuse and exploitation: cyberbullying, inappropriate online contact, sharing of explicit material

Other concerns

• Significant, unexplained decline in engagement
• Frequent unexplained absences or 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 a concern

If you are a student

• Speak to your parent or guardian
• Contact us at mrk@mrkpsychology.co.uk
• You have the right to feel safe and respected. No concern is too small to raise

If you are a parent or guardian

• Contact us at mrk@mrkpsychology.co.uk
• We will acknowledge within 24 hours and respond fully within 48 hours
• Every concern is taken seriously and looked into promptly

Where Mr K has a concern

• The concern is documented immediately, with date, time and specific detail
• The parent or guardian is contacted as soon as possible, unless doing so would place the student at greater risk
• Where appropriate, the concern is referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer or to children’s social services
• Full cooperation is given to any statutory investigation
• Safeguarding records are kept securely in line with statutory guidance

7 Allegations against the tutor

Any allegation of inappropriate conduct by Mr K is treated with the utmost seriousness.

• Report concerns to mrk@mrkpsychology.co.uk
• You may also report directly to your Local Authority Designated Officer, or to the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline on 0808 028 0285, without contacting us first
• Full cooperation is given to any investigation by the relevant authorities
• Session records and any recordings may be provided to investigating authorities

8 Confidentiality and information sharing

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

9 Professional conduct

Boundaries

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

Digital safety

• Only approved platforms are used for tutoring and group sessions
• All communication is traceable and appropriate
• Inappropriate contact from a student is documented and addressed with the parent or guardian

10 Student wellbeing

Beyond preventing harm, we aim to create a positive and supportive learning environment. Where a student shows signs of stress, anxiety or difficulty, we respond supportively and signpost appropriate help. We are not mental health professionals and do not offer counselling.

Support services

• Childline: 0800 1111 — childline.org.uk
• YoungMinds: youngminds.org.uk
• The Mix, for under-25s: 0808 808 4994 — themix.org.uk
• Samaritans: 116 123, free, 24 hours a day

11 Parental involvement

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

• Are present in the home during one-to-one sessions
• Help your child understand appropriate online communication and behaviour
• Keep open communication with your child about their sessions
• Raise any concern with us promptly, however small it seems
• Read this policy and ensure your child understands it

12 Related policies

• Privacy and Cookie Policy
• Terms and Conditions — Products
• Terms and Conditions — Masterclasses
• Terms and Conditions — Tutoring

13 Review

This policy is reviewed annually, and after any safeguarding incident or change in relevant legislation or guidance. Significant changes are communicated to current students and parents, and the updated policy is published here with a revised date.