Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Daresne is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our users, including children, parents, legal guardians, tutors, affiliate partners, team members, and third parties. We aim to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful online learning environment, where students can thrive and achieve academic success.

This comprehensive Safeguarding Policy outlines our procedures, commitments, and measures to ensure the highest standards of safety and protection for everyone interacting with our platform.

1. Our Commitment to Safeguarding

1.1 Daresne prioritises safeguarding as a core aspect of its operations. We ensure that our platform promotes a safe, effective, and enjoyable learning environment for all participants.

1.2 This Safeguarding Policy applies to all individuals involved with Daresne, including students, parents, tutors, affiliate partners, and team members. Everyone must adhere to this policy to ensure the safety and well-being of all users.

1.3 The policy is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with UK legislation, including but not limited to:

- The Children Act 1989 and 2004
- The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- The Equality Act 2010
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidelines

2. Tutor Verification and Screening

2.1 All self-employed tutors undergo a rigorous verification process, which includes:

Enhanced DBS checks (or international equivalents for tutors based outside the UK).
Interviews to assess professionalism, subject expertise, and safeguarding awareness.
Subject knowledge testing to ensure high educational standards.

2.2 Only around the top 20% of applicants are selected to tutor on our platform. This ensures that students receive high-quality instruction from trusted educators.

2.3 Tutors must sign and adhere to the Child Protection Policy and Daresne’s Tutor Code of Conduct. Non-compliance results in immediate suspension or termination from the platform.

3. Child Protection Policy

3.1 The welfare of children is our highest priority. All tutors are required to respect the rights, wishes, and feelings of every child, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, ability, culture, language, or beliefs.

3.2 Tutors must:

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Avoid any behaviour that could be considered inappropriate or harmful.
Use only Daresne-approved and monitored communication channels for interactions with students outside of tutoring lessons.

3.3 Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their child is in a safe, distraction-free environment during lessons and must not leave their child solely under the care of the tutor.

3.4 Any breaches of conduct, including inappropriate language, bullying, or unauthorised contact, must be reported immediately to Daresne at safeguarding@daresne.com.

4. Zero Tolerance for Inappropriate Behaviour

4.1 Daresne has a strict zero-tolerance policy for any inappropriate behaviour by users, tutors, team members, or affiliates.

Prohibited behaviours include:

Bullying, discrimination, or harassment.
Use of inappropriate language or sharing inappropriate content.
Any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

4.2 Any reported incidents are investigated promptly and thoroughly. Actions may include suspension, termination, or reporting to relevant authorities.

4.3 Users agree to cooperate fully during investigations and provide any necessary information to support safeguarding measures.

5. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

5.1 Users can report safeguarding concerns through the following channels:

Safety Centre: Easily accessible via the Daresne platform, the Safety Centre allows students and parents to report concerns or request a new tutor.
Email: Concerns can be reported to safeguarding@daresne.com.

5.2 Reports submitted via the Safety Centre or email are handled with the utmost confidentiality. The following steps are taken:

Concerns are reviewed by a safeguarding specialist within 24 hours.
If immediate action is required, appropriate authorities or law enforcement are notified.
Anonymity is maintained for the reporting party during investigations.

5.3 In cases of tutor replacement requests, the current tutor will not be informed until a replacement is confirmed to minimise disruption and ensure anonymity.

5.4 Urgent concerns outside normal business hours (9 am to 5 pm UK time, excluding bank holidays) should be reported to local law enforcement or relevant authorities. Users are encouraged to take immediate action to protect the safety of all parties involved.

6. Safeguarding Responsibilities for Tutors

6.1 Tutors are required to:

Complete safeguarding training provided by Daresne.
Adhere to the Tutor Code of Conduct, maintaining professionalism and respect at all times.
Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to Daresne’s safeguarding team.

6.2 If a tutor witnesses any behaviour or situation harmful to a child, they must:

Report the incident to Daresne immediately.
Notify local authorities if the child is in immediate danger.
Document all relevant details to assist with investigations.

7. Safeguarding Responsibilities for Parents and Guardians

7.1 Parents and guardians must:

Ensure their child is in a safe, supervised environment during lessons.
Monitor their child’s behaviour and adherence to the Student Code of Conduct.
Report any concerns promptly to Daresne.

7.2 Parents are encouraged to communicate openly with tutors and the Daresne team to support their child’s learning and well-being.

8. Anonymity and Confidentiality

8.1 Daresne handles all safeguarding reports with strict confidentiality. This includes:

Maintaining anonymity for the reporting party during investigations.
Ensuring sensitive information is shared only on a need-to-know basis.

8.2 Tutors are not informed of replacement requests until a new tutor is confirmed. This ensures continuity of service and protects the reporting party’s anonymity.

9. Continuous Improvement

9.1 Daresne regularly reviews and updates its safeguarding procedures to align with best practices and legal requirements.

9.2 Feedback from users, tutors, and team members is welcomed to enhance our safeguarding measures.

10. 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, all users agree to adhere to this Safeguarding Policy.

Daresne remains committed to creating a safe and professional online learning environment, giving parents and guardians peace of mind and ensuring the well-being of all users.