Aims and Code of Conduct

Cat the Science Tutor aims to provide bespoke Science tutoring to children and young people to enable them to achieve their goals. Cat will ensure all children are treated with respect, and will ensure her own conduct and dress are professional and appropriate at all times. She will act with due sensitivity towards any issues or differences the child may have.

Child Protection and Safeguarding

This policy applies to Cat the Science Tutor and all students.

The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who receive tutoring services from Cat the Science Tutor, and to outline the principles which guide Cat the Science Tutor’s approach to safeguarding and child protection.

Cat the Science Tutor believes that a child or young person should not experience abuse of any kind. She has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. She is committed to practise in a way that protects them.

Legal Framework:

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:

  • Children Act 1989
  • United Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991
  • Data Protection Act 1998
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Children Act 2004
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0-25 years – Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014
  • Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents, and carers; HM Government 2015
  • Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government 2015

This policy should be read alongside Cat the Science Tutor’s statements on:

  • Dealing with disclosures and concerns about young people
  • Managing allegations against Cat the Science Tutor
  • Health and safety
  • Privacy Policy

Cat the Science Tutor recognises that:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989
  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation, or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, the level of dependency, communication needs, or other issues
  • Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

Cat the Science Tutor will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • Valuing them, listening to them, and respecting them.
  • Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer for children and young people.
    The DSO for Cat the Science Tutor is Catherine Mycock-Overell.
  • Adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and Cat the Science Tutor’s code of conduct.
  • Recording and storing information securely and professionally.
  • Using Cat the Science Tutor’s safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately.
  • Using Cat the Science Tutor’s procedures to manage any allegations against Cat the Science Tutor.
  • Ensuring the provision of a safe physical environment for children and young people receiving tutoring from Cat the Science Tutor, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
  • Ensuring Cat the Science Tutor obtains an enhanced DBS check every 5 years; this will be obtained through Girl Guiding UK in line with their guidance on DBS checks for volunteers.
  • Ensuring a consent form is completed by the parent/guardian of every young person under 18 receiving tuition from Cat the Science Tutor, in advance of the first tutoring session taking place. This will acknowledge the location and basis (e.g. 1:1) of tutoring provision, and confirm emergency contact details. In the event that Cat the Science Tutor provides tuition to vulnerable adults over the age of 18, consent should be obtained from their parent(s)/carer(s).

Contact details:

  • Thames Valley Police
    101 (non-emergency) / 999 (emergency)
  • Oxfordshire County Council Child Services
    During office hours, MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) 0345 050 766
    Emergency Duty Team 0800 833 408
  • Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board
    01865 815843 / oscb@oxfordshire.gov.uk
  • Kingfisher Team (sexual exploitation)
    01865 309196
  • CEOP
    www.ceop.police.uk
  • NSPCC Helpline
    0808 800 5000 / help@nspcc.org.uk

Procedures for dealing with allegations

In the event that a child discloses information of concern to Cat the Science Tutor, she will take all reasonable steps to protect the child.

  • In the event of a concern relating to the child’s school, Cat will seek to speak to the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) at the earliest opportunity. For serious concerns, such as those involving physical or sexual abuse, Cat will report directly to the police.
  • In the event of a concern relating to the child’s home or family life, Cat will encourage the child to disclose as much as they feel able to. She will listen and take notes, but will not ask any questions which could be portrayed as leading. If she is concerned that the child will be in danger should they return home that evening, she will alert the police immediately; otherwise, she will alert MASH and/or Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board.
  • In the event of a concern relating to something in the community, Cat will seek to speak to the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) at the earliest opportunity, and report to the police and/or Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board and/or MASH, as appropriate.
  • In the event of suspected or known child sexual exploitation, Cat will contact the Kingfisher Team, Oxfordshire’s dedicated team for dealing with child sexual exploitation.

If Cat the Science Tutor has concerns about a child, but the child does not directly disclose to Cat, Cat will seek to speak with the parents in the first instance. She will then notify relevant authorities should this be deemed appropriate.

In the event that a child makes an allegation against Cat the Science Tutor, Cat will notify the relevant authorities immediately and cooperate with any investigation deemed necessary.

Documentation on complaints, concerns, or allegations raised will be kept on file for 10 years, or 7 years after a child finishes tutoring with Cat the Science Tutor, whichever is longer.

Health and Safety, and Managing Risk

  • Practical activities will be fully risk-assessed.
  • Separate parental consent will be obtained for any activities taking place off-site (e.g. pond dipping, habitat investigations).
  • Physical contact between Cat the Science Tutor and any tutees will be for the sole purposes of preventing injury, first aid, ensuring safety, ensuring appropriate use of equipment, or correcting the interpretation of necessary science (e.g. Fleming’s left and right hand rules).
  • In case of medical emergencies, Cat with endeavour to contact you or your alternative emergency contact on the emergency contact numbers provided; if applicable she will call an ambulance in the first instance to ensure prompt provision of appropriate medical assistance (for example, in anaphylactic shock). The nearest hospital to Cat the Science Tutor is the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.