Safeguarding Policy

StudyCore provides online tutoring for students, starting with GCSE Maths.

We take safeguarding seriously and aim to create a safe, respectful and appropriate online learning environment.

Safeguarding concerns should be reported to: safeguarding@studycoretutors.co.uk

If a child or young person is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

This policy applies to:

• •parents and guardians
• •students
• •tutors
• •tutor applicants
• •StudyCore admins
• •online lessons
• •messages, forms, dashboards and emails connected to StudyCore

For the MVP service:

• •the parent or guardian is the account holder
• •the parent or guardian is the main contact
• •the parent or guardian pays for lessons
• •the student does not need their own StudyCore account
• •StudyCore does not request student email or phone number

This reduces unnecessary direct contact between tutors and students.

StudyCore may use a range of tutor checks and onboarding steps, including:

• •application review
• •interview or suitability review
• •identity check
• •proof of GCSE/A-Level results or relevant qualifications
• •subject knowledge assessment
• •safeguarding agreement
• •Tutor Code of Conduct agreement
• •DBS checks where appropriate and legally eligible

StudyCore does not currently claim that every tutor has completed a DBS check before every lesson.

Where a DBS check is pending or not yet available, StudyCore uses additional safeguards such as parent-led communication, online-only lessons, admin-controlled matching and restrictions on private contact.

StudyCore tutors may include high-achieving recent students and young tutors, often aged around 17–19.

Tutor applicants must normally have received their GCSE results before tutoring GCSE students.

Tutors are selected for subject strength, communication ability, reliability and suitability.

Lessons are online only.

StudyCore or admin provides the lesson link.

Tutors and students must use the approved lesson link and must not move the lesson to a private unapproved platform without permission.

Tutors must not contact students privately outside approved StudyCore channels.

Tutors must not ask students for personal contact details.

Tutors must not arrange private lessons outside StudyCore with students or parents met through StudyCore.

If communication is needed outside the lesson, it should go through the parent or StudyCore admin.

Lessons are not recorded by default.

Tutors must not record lessons unless StudyCore and the parent have agreed in writing.

Students and parents should not record lessons unless agreed in advance.

If recording is ever introduced, StudyCore will update this policy and explain how recordings are stored, accessed and deleted.

Tutors must:

• •behave professionally
• •use appropriate language
• •avoid inappropriate personal conversations
• •keep lessons focused on learning
• •respect boundaries
• •report concerns promptly
• •end or pause a lesson if behaviour becomes unsafe or inappropriate

Parents/students must:

• •behave respectfully
• •not abuse or harass tutors
• •not share lesson links publicly
• •not record without agreement
• •report concerns quickly

Parents do not need to sit in the lesson by default.

However, parents should be aware of when lessons are taking place and should ensure the student can access the lesson safely.

Parents are encouraged to check in if they have any concerns.

A tutor must report to StudyCore if:

• •a student says something that suggests they may be at risk
• •a student discloses harm, abuse or neglect
• •a student behaves in a way that raises safety concerns
• •a parent/student behaves inappropriately
• •the tutor feels uncomfortable or unsafe
• •there is any safeguarding concern during or around a lesson

Parents/students should report if:

• •a tutor behaves inappropriately
• •a tutor contacts them outside approved channels
• •a tutor asks for unnecessary personal information
• •a lesson feels unsafe or uncomfortable
• •they have any safeguarding concern

Report to: safeguarding@studycoretutors.co.uk

When StudyCore receives a safeguarding concern, we may:

• •review the report
• •contact the parent
• •contact the tutor
• •pause tutor access
• •cancel or rearrange lessons
• •preserve relevant records
• •take advice from appropriate authorities
• •report to external agencies where required
• •block or remove users if needed

StudyCore will prioritise student safety.

If a parent or student complains about tutor behaviour, StudyCore will investigate.

Possible outcomes include:

• •warning
• •retraining
• •removal from a lesson
• •pausing tutor access
• •removing the tutor from StudyCore
• •refund or reschedule where appropriate
• •reporting concerns where necessary

If there is immediate danger, contact emergency services first.

After that, report the issue to: safeguarding@studycoretutors.co.uk

This policy will be reviewed as StudyCore grows, especially if we expand subjects, age groups, lesson formats, group classes or tutor numbers.