Safeguarding Policy

Introduction: Purpose and Scope

Daresne is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people who access tutoring services through its platform. We aim to provide a safe, respectful, and professional online learning environment for all Users.

This Safeguarding Policy applies to all individuals who interact with the Daresne platform, including students, parents or legal guardians, Tutors, affiliate partners, team members, and any third parties engaged in connection with Daresne’s services.

This policy operates alongside, but independently from, Daresne’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice.

1. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is informed by relevant UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including (where applicable):

The Children Act 1989 and 2004
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
The Equality Act 2010
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance
Working Together to Safeguard Children

Daresne reviews this policy periodically to reflect legal developments and best practice.

2. Daresne’s Role and Safeguarding Approach

Daresne operates as an online platform that facilitates access to tutoring services by connecting Users with independent, self-employed Tutors and providing administrative, technical, and operational support.

Daresne does not supervise, direct, or control the delivery of tutoring lessons. Tutors are not employees or agents of Daresne and remain professionally responsible for their own conduct. However, Daresne takes proportionate steps to promote safeguarding awareness, establish behavioural expectations, and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns brought to its attention.

3. Tutor Verification and Screening

3.1 Daresne applies a proportionate and risk-based approach to tutor onboarding and safeguarding. All Tutors engaged on the Platform are self-employed individuals and are subject to a verification process designed to promote safety, professionalism, and suitability for online tutoring.

3.2 As part of the onboarding process, Daresne may carry out a combination of verification and screening measures, which may include, without limitation:

identity verification and right-to-work checks where applicable;
interviews to assess professionalism, subject knowledge, and safeguarding awareness;
academic or subject-related assessment where appropriate;
review of publicly available information relevant to safeguarding and suitability;
safeguarding declarations and acceptance of Daresne’s Tutor Code of Conduct; and
a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, or an international equivalent, where provided and applicable.

3.3 Where a Tutor has provided a valid DBS certificate (or legally recognised international equivalent) and such documentation has been manually reviewed and verified by Daresne, this will be clearly indicated by a visible badge or marker next to the Tutor’s name within the User’s student dashboard or Tutor profile.

3.4 Where no DBS badge or indicator is displayed, this does not mean that the Tutor is unsafe, unsuitable, or unvetted. It indicates only that a DBS certificate has not been provided to Daresne, is not applicable due to jurisdiction, or has not been verified at the relevant time.

3.5 DBS checks form one component of Daresne’s safeguarding framework. Due to operational, jurisdictional, and practical constraints, Daresne does not guarantee that all Tutors will hold or display a DBS check at all times. The absence of a DBS badge does not, of itself, imply misconduct, risk, or failure to meet Daresne’s onboarding standards.

3.6 All Tutors are required to sign and adhere to Daresne’s Tutor Code of Conduct and safeguarding requirements. Breach of safeguarding obligations, inappropriate conduct, or failure to comply with Daresne’s policies may result in suspension or permanent removal from the Platform, without notice where safeguarding concerns arise.

3.7 Tutors are prohibited from tutoring through Daresne unless they have successfully completed the applicable onboarding steps required by Daresne at the time of engagement. No Tutor is permitted to bypass safeguarding requirements or operate outside Daresne’s approved systems.

3.8 Users acknowledge that safeguarding assessments are ongoing and may evolve over time. Daresne reserves the right to request updated documentation, apply additional checks, suspend Tutors, or modify onboarding requirements in response to regulatory guidance, operational needs, or safeguarding concerns.

3.9 Users are encouraged to exercise discretion when evaluating self-declared information provided by Tutors, including qualifications, experience, and certifications, and may contact Daresne if they have specific safeguarding preferences or requirements when selecting or continuing with a Tutor.

4. Professional Conduct and Boundaries

Tutors are expected to:

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times
Treat students with dignity, respect, and fairness
Avoid any conduct that could be considered inappropriate, intimidating, abusive, discriminatory, or harmful
Use only Daresne-approved communication channels when interacting with students and parents

Parents and guardians remain responsible for ensuring that their child is in a safe and suitable environment during lessons and that appropriate supervision arrangements are in place.

5. Communication and Online Safety

All safeguarding-related communication should occur through Daresne’s approved channels.

Tutors and Users must not initiate or continue private, unmonitored contact outside the platform without authorisation.

Users are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any communication that causes concern, discomfort, or distress.

6. Lesson Recording and Monitoring

Lessons, including trial lessons, are not recorded by default.

Tutors and Users are strictly prohibited from recording lessons, taking screenshots, or capturing audio or video content without Daresne’s prior written authorisation and the informed consent of all relevant parties, including parents or legal guardians where minors are involved.

If Daresne introduces lesson recording functionality in the future as part of a system upgrade, all Users and Tutors will be informed in advance, and any recording will be subject to clear safeguards, consent requirements, and data protection obligations.

7. Zero-Tolerance for Inappropriate Behaviour

Daresne operates a zero-tolerance approach to safeguarding breaches.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Abuse or neglect
Harassment, bullying, or discriminatory behaviour
Inappropriate language, imagery, or conduct
Sexualised or explicit content
Attempts to establish inappropriate relationships

Allegations of serious misconduct may result in immediate suspension of platform access and referral to appropriate authorities where required.

8. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns should be reported immediately through one of the following channels:

Email: safeguarding@daresne.com

WhatsApp Customer Care: +44 (20) 8144-4482

Reports should include as much relevant detail as possible to assist assessment.

Daresne will acknowledge reports and take proportionate action, which may include investigation, Tutor suspension, account restriction, or referral to external authorities where appropriate.

Urgent concerns involving immediate risk should be reported directly to local emergency services or child protection authorities.

9. Confidentiality and Handling of Reports

Safeguarding reports are handled sensitively and confidentially.

Information is shared strictly on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Anonymity of the reporting party will be preserved where reasonably possible.

Tutor replacement requests arising from safeguarding concerns may be handled discreetly to minimise disruption and protect all parties involved.

Daresne reserves the right to take appropriate action where safeguarding reports are found to be deliberately false, malicious, or made in bad faith, without prejudice to genuine safeguarding concerns raised in good faith.

10. Responsibilities of Parents and Guardians

Parents or legal guardians remain primarily responsible for the supervision, safety, and wellbeing of any minor accessing tutoring services through the Daresne platform.

Daresne provides access to tutoring services and related platform features but does not assume parental responsibility, guardianship, or a supervisory role equivalent to that of a school, educational institution, or childcare provider.

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for ensuring that:

the student participates in lessons from a safe, suitable, and appropriate environment;
appropriate supervision arrangements are in place, having regard to the age, needs, and circumstances of the student;
the student uses suitable equipment and behaves appropriately during lessons;
the student understands how to raise concerns and feels comfortable doing so.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to remain reasonably engaged with their child’s learning and to monitor wellbeing, progress, and conduct. Failure by a parent or guardian to supervise, monitor, or engage with a student does not transfer responsibility to Daresne or to any Tutor.

Parents and guardians are responsible for promptly reporting safeguarding concerns, inappropriate behaviour, or issues of concern to Daresne through the designated safeguarding channels. Delayed reporting may limit the ability to investigate or mitigate issues.

Parents and guardians remain contractually and legally responsible for the minor’s use of the Platform, including compliance with Daresne’s Terms and Conditions, Safeguarding Policy, and any applicable laws, regardless of whether the minor accesses the Platform independently.

Nothing in this policy creates, or is intended to create, a duty of care on the part of Daresne beyond that which arises under applicable law.

11. Limitations and Disclaimer

While Daresne takes reasonable steps to promote safeguarding awareness and respond to reported concerns, it cannot guarantee the prevention of all harm or misconduct.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Daresne shall not be liable for independent acts or omissions of Tutors or Users occurring outside its reasonable control. This policy does not create a duty of care beyond that required by applicable law.

Nothing in this policy limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

This Safeguarding Policy sets out Daresne’s safeguarding framework but does not constitute a guarantee of individual outcomes or create additional legal duties beyond those imposed by applicable law

12. Continuous Improvement

Daresne is committed to ongoing improvement of its safeguarding practices. Feedback from Users, Tutors, and stakeholders is welcomed and may be used to enhance future safeguarding measures.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Safeguarding Policy, please contact us at:

Daresne Limited

Email: safeguarding@daresne.com
Registered Office: 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London, W1W 7LT, United Kingdom
WhatsApp: +44 (20) 8144-4482

By accessing or using Daresne’s services, Users, Parents, and Tutors acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Safeguarding Policy.

Daresne is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional online learning environment. We continually review and refine our safeguarding practices to support the well-being of children, families, Tutors, and all individuals who interact with our Platform.