[Last reviewed: October 2025]
1. Introduction
Teachers To Your Home Ltd (including its international division, British Teachers) is committed to the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults ("learners"). Our teachers are self-employed professionals; we require them to uphold robust safeguarding standards at all times when delivering online tuition arranged via our platform.
2. Purpose and Scope
This policy sets safeguarding expectations for online tuition arranged for, by, or through schools and other educational organisations ("School Clients"). It applies to: (a) self-employed teachers using our platform; (b) staff of School Clients who commission and oversee tuition; and (c) our internal staff insofar as they administer introductions and accounts. It complements (and does not replace) each School Client's safeguarding/child-protection policy, which always takes precedence.
3. Principles
Learner welfare is paramount.
School policy leads. When tuition is arranged through a school, the school's safeguarding policy and procedures must be followed.
Clear accountability. Teachers are responsible for their professional conduct; schools are responsible for case management and statutory reporting; Teachers To Your Home is an introduction platform and not a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Proportionality & confidentiality. Concerns are shared on a need-to-know basis in line with law and guidance.
International consistency. For British Teachers placements with international schools, local law and the school's policy apply; UK best practice (e.g., KCSIE) should inform professional standards.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
4.1 Teachers (self-employed) must:
Hold a current enhanced DBS (or accepted international criminal record/police clearance where overseas), and supply two professional referees on request by the School Client.
Be familiar with UK safeguarding principles (e.g., Keeping Children Safe in Education) and any local equivalents where overseas.
Complete safeguarding/child-protection training at least every two years (annually preferred by many schools).
Follow the School Client's policies (safeguarding/child protection, acceptable use, online safety, data protection, code of conduct).
Report concerns immediately to the School DSL (or deputy); where a child is at immediate risk, contact emergency services and then inform the DSL. Do not report concerns to Teachers To Your Home as the primary route.
Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
4.2 School Clients should:
Confirm the DSL contact details and reporting route to teachers before tuition starts.
Verify/record DBS (or accepted equivalent), two referees, right-to-work where relevant, and any mandatory training/induction.
Provide teachers with the school's safeguarding, online safety, AUP, data protection and allegations procedures.
Ensure appropriate parental consent and school oversight for online tuition (e.g., lesson timing, platforms, recording rules).
4.3 Teachers To Your Home / British Teachers (the platform) will:
Require tutors to confirm safeguarding credentials and acceptance of these standards.
Share tutor profile information (qualifications, subjects, reviews) with School Clients; we will only share references/DBS status where lawful/necessary and in line with our Privacy Policy, and will not share CVs or phone numbers without consent.
Not act as a DSL or manage cases; when informed of a safeguarding concern, we may suspend access, preserve relevant records, and co-operate with the School Client and authorities.
5. Online Tuition Standards (Schools)
To protect learners and teachers, Schools and teachers must ensure the following as applicable to the School's policy:
Approved platforms only. Use the School-approved video platform and accounts; do not use personal accounts.
Environment. Teachers should use a quiet, professional setting with a neutral background; no inappropriate or identifying items in view.
Cameras & identity. Follow school rules on camera use. Teachers must verify the learner's identity per school guidance before teaching.
Recording. Only if permitted by the School and with appropriate consent; recordings are the School's property and must be stored securely under the School's retention policy. Teachers must not keep personal copies.
Communication. All messaging goes through school-approved channels. No private social media contact. Maintain professional tone and hours (consider time zones for international learners).
Supervision. For younger or vulnerable learners, Schools should ensure appropriate adult awareness/supervision in line with school policy.
Resources & links. Use age-appropriate, lawful content; no unvetted external links.
Data protection. Handle learner data per the School's policy and applicable law (UK GDPR / local equivalents). Do not store unnecessary personal data.
6. Handling Concerns, Disclosures, and Allegations
Immediate risk: Contact emergency services; then inform the DSL.
Non-immediate concerns: Inform the DSL promptly and follow school procedures (written record of concern with date/time, facts, who was present, and actions taken).
Allegations about staff/teachers: Follow the School's managing-allegations procedure (e.g., LADO consultation in England). Teachers must inform the DSL without delay and cease the relevant engagement if instructed.
International schools: Follow local safeguarding/child-protection law and the school's policy for reporting to authorities.
Platform notification: Where appropriate, the School may inform Teachers To Your Home that a concern has been raised (without sensitive details). We may suspend introductions to that teacher while the School/authorities manage the case and will assist with lawful information requests.
7. Safer Recruitment Expectations for School Placements
For school-arranged tuition, the School should confirm (and may request evidence of):
Identity and enhanced DBS (or recognised international equivalent/police clearance).
Two professional references (recent, relevant, and verified).
Qualifications/registration where applicable.
Recent safeguarding training.
Any additional checks required by local law or school policy (e.g., prohibition from teaching checks in England, international sanctions checks as appropriate).
8. Professional Conduct and Boundaries
Teachers must:
Be punctual, reliable, and dress professionally.
Keep communication transparent and on-platform/school-approved.
Avoid gifts, favours or social media connections with learners.
Never meet learners in person unless arranged and risk-assessed by the School.
Not share personal contact numbers or addresses unless explicitly required by the School and documented.
9. International Considerations (British Teachers)
Time zones. Agree lesson times in writing with clear local/UTC references; follow school attendance/escalation rules for missed sessions.
Local law. Teachers must respect local child-protection law and cultural norms while maintaining UK-aligned professional standards.
Data location. If the School requires data residency or specific platforms, teachers must comply.
10. Record-Keeping and Confidentiality
Teachers should keep brief, factual lesson notes if the School requires them, stored only in school-approved systems.
Safeguarding concerns must be recorded promptly on the School's system as directed by the DSL.
Personal storage of learner data is not permitted.
11. Our Platform's Limitations
Teachers To Your Home is an introduction service. We do not supervise lessons, act as a DSL, conduct statutory checks on behalf of schools, investigate safeguarding concerns, or make referrals to statutory agencies. Case management, referrals and decisions rest with the School Client (or family, where applicable).
12. Training, Awareness, and Review
We remind teachers of safeguarding expectations during onboarding communications and periodically thereafter.
Schools should brief teachers on their policy and local procedures before tuition begins.
This Policy is reviewed annually or sooner if statutory guidance or our operations change.
13. Contact
School DSL: The School Client must supply DSL contact details and escalation routes to the teacher before tuition starts.
Teachers To Your Home (platform): [email protected] (operational queries).
Emergency: Call local emergency services if a child is at immediate risk, then inform the School DSL.
