Principles for Lone Working

The aim of this policy is to safeguard all students and all other persons involved in tuition provided by Up Your Grade Ltd.

Any tutor who works outside of school with students must ensure that they are fully aware of the procedures in place to protect themselves and the students they are working with.

Tutors should be seen to be working in an open and transparent way.
Tutors should always act, in the child’s best interests.
We recommend the following safeguarding course to all our tutors: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/training/child-protection-tutors/

Confidentiality

Tutors should be clear around what information about a student can be shared and in what circumstances it is appropriate to do so.
Tutors should always seek advice from a member of Up Your Grade Ltd staff if they are in doubt.
There will be no email communication directly between tutors and students. All email correspondence sent to the parent/responsible adult can be made through the TutorCruncher platform.

Propriety and Behaviour

Tutors must follow the Up Your Grade code of conduct below:

Tutors should wear clothing that is appropriate to their role, which is not seen as offensive, revealing or sexually provocative.
Tutors should be vigilant in maintaining their privacy and mindful of the need to avoid placing themselves in a vulnerable situation.
Tutors should not administer medication – the parent/carer should do this if necessary.
Tutors should only deliver tuition in the students home where there is a parent or suitable adult present in the house and within a communal area such as at the dining room table and within hearing distance of a parent or carer.
Personal mobile phone use should be avoided whilst teaching or in the presence of a pupil or their family members.

Communication

Tutors should not give out their personal phone number, home address or email address to students.
Tutors must not communicate online with any pupils other than via the agreed communication channels at the agreed times.
Tutors should have no secret social contact with students or their parents.
Tutors should be aware of Health and Safety Regulations as set out by the Health & Safety Executive – www.hse.gov.uk

Home tuition – recommendations parent hosting the tutor

Tutors should ensure that any cause for concern is discussed with Up Your Grade and that safeguarding procedures are followed in accordance with the Up Your Grade Child Protection Policy.
Tutors should never enter a house alone to tutor a child without the presence of parent/carer.
Tutors should ensure that when working alone they have their mobile switched on.
Tutors should ensure that friends/family are aware of their whereabouts and expected return times.
Tutors should work in open areas of the home where the doors are left open.
Parents/carers must remain as a visible presence at home and be available for the duration of the tuition. They are not expected to be in the room, in fact this often can be a distraction but leave doors open and ensure the environment is open at all times.
Always keep discussions on a professional level.
If at any point during tuition a tutor feels uncomfortable about any behaviour from the pupil or
parent/carer they should end the session and leave the setting. The circumstances should be reported to Up Your Grade as soon as possible.

Tuition at the tutor’s home – recommendations for tutor hosting the student and/or parent

Tuition may at times be arranged in the tutor’s home. If this is the case then they must ensure the following:

Up Your Grade’s DSL need to have visited the tuition space, and approved the location for tuition.
The space they teach is open and safe, it must be a clear teaching space with nothing inappropriate on the walls.
The parents have the chance to view the setting and decide whether to stay or leave the student.
Any adults who will have access to this space should have an enhanced DBS.
There shouldn’t be external visitors to this space while the pupil is in your care.
You must have your own personal and public liability insurance and Up Your Grade will need to see a copy of this.

During tuition tutors should:

Remain in the designated room of the home for the tuition session
Ensure there is plenty of light
Keep a clear focus on the work undertaken
Have clear planning for the work to be undertaken by the student.
Always communicate any times where the student becomes upset or distressed including with their own parent/carer
Always report any situation where a pupil becomes upset or distressed to a Up Your Grade owner DSL

Online tuition recommendations:

Be clear which platform you are using for your lessons and make sure the lesson is secure and other people cannot freely enter that online platform.
Ensure that your appearance and dress adhere to normal standards.
Ensure that your background is neutral or blurred and free of distractions.
A responsible adult is still recommended to be available with the student and parents sitting in on sessions is acceptable.
If the pupil engages in any unacceptable behaviour (undressing, exposing themselves inappropriately, or being in possession of any inappropriate material), immediately terminate the session and inform Andrew Gardner immediately. Securely record, in as much detail as possible, what happened, for future reference.
If a student types anything inappropriate into the chat function, it is to be reported to Andrew Gardner immediately
Only contact the pupil via video for tuition and at times agreed with Up Your Grade and the
parent/guardian/carer
If a student logs out of the session during tuition unexpectedly report it to Up Your Grade immediately who will then contact the parent/guardian/carer to investigate further

Updated: 1st November 2024
Review date: 1st November 2025
Reviewer: Andy Gardner, Director