Introduction
Science with Hazel Ltd, and all associated tutors, fully recognises the responsibilities and duty placed upon them to have arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young adults. We recognise that tutors have a part to play in protecting pupils from harm. We believe in a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment in which students can learn and which promotes the social, physical and emotional wellbeing of each individual pupil. We recognise our responsibility and duty to report Child Protection concerns to the relevant Department in the Local Education Authority. We will ensure that all tutors working on our behalf are updated on Child Protection issues, as recommended in the guidance.
Scope of this policy
This policy applies to Science with Hazel Ltd and all tutors working on their behalf whose duties bring them into contact with children.
Aims of this policy
This policy aims to create and maintain the safest possible environment for the children with whom we deal, as well as for any tutor working on our behalf, and all reasonable steps will be taken to prevent all parties from harm.
Legal considerations
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:
- Children Act 1989
- United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Children Act 2004
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children
We, and any tutor working on our behalf, recognise 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, their 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.
Safe recruitment
Science with Hazel Ltd operates a safe recruitment policy to ensure that all supporting tutors are qualified and suitable as far as can be reasonably ascertained. The identity of a potential tutor is verified with sight of current photographic ID and proof of address. Appropriate checks (i.e. enhanced DBS checks) are carried out on all potential tutors, and all references are taken up and verified. At interview candidates are asked to account for any gaps in their employment history. We verify the candidates’ right to work in the UK.
Planning and supervision
All activities or assignments involving children should be planned in advance to ensure they take into account the age range and ability of the participants. Volunteers or freelancers supervising assignments involving children should be competent to do so. Supervision should take account of the age, gender, nature of the activity and any special needs of the individuals. Where appropriate, a risk assessment will be undertaken and documented.
Physical contact
On no account should any tutor working on Science with Hazel’s behalf have any physical contact with a child unless it is to prevent accident or injury to themselves or anyone else (e.g. to prevent a fall), or in the case of medical assistance being needed (e.g. to administer first aid), or to provide nursing or other general care, in which case the prior consent of the affected person should be requested where possible. Where appropriate, consent from parents or those with parental or caring responsibility should be obtained.
Behaviour and abuse
We should all aim to promote an environment of trust and understanding. Those working with children and young adults should not tolerate unsociable behaviour but should try to ensure good working relationships. Any tutor working on Science with Hazel’s behalf has a strict duty never to subject any child to any form of harm or abuse. This means that it is unacceptable, for example, to treat a child in any of the following ways:
- to cause distress by shouting or calling them derogatory names
- to slap
- to hold them in such a way that it causes pain, or to shake them
- to physically restrain them except to protect them from harming themselves or others
- to take part in horseplay or rough games
- to allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any kind
- to do things of a personal nature for the person that they can do for themselves (this includes changing clothing, or going to the toilet with them unless another adult is present)
- to allow or engage in sexually suggestive behaviour within a person’s sight or hearing, or make suggestive remarks to or within earshot
- to give or show anything which could be construed as pornographic
- to seek or agree to meet them anywhere outside of the normal workplace without the full prior knowledge and agreement of the parent, guardian or carer.
- to engage with them online in an unacceptable manner.
Suspicions of abuse
Any worker who witnesses or suspects abusive behaviour towards a child should record the details and report it to Hazel Lindsey, Managing Director of Science with Hazel Ltd. It is NOT the individual’s responsibility to investigate his/her suspicions – this requires expertise he/she is not expected to have. Any allegations of abuse made against anyone working for Science with Hazel Ltd will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with through a disciplinary procedure. Serious breaches may lead to termination of any agreement (for self-employed tutors, workers or volunteers). Hazel Lindsey will appropriately record an allegation or reported incident. She will be responsible for contacting the statutory child protection agency such as the Local Safeguarding Children Board or the police if necessary.
Safety
The safety of the people we work with is paramount and we are committed to providing a safe environment within which to work. Those working with children should ensure all appropriate risk assessments and security checks have been carried out prior to any assignment. If transporting children, the transport should be checked to ensure it is roadworthy and adequate for the purpose. Any equipment used must be safe and only used for the purpose for which it is intended. Users should be adequately trained. Appropriate insurance should be up to date and adequate to cover such assignments.
Contact outside of work
Contact should not be made with any of the children with whom we are working for any reason unrelated to the particular work, and any tutor working on Science with Hazel’s behalf should not enter into any social or other non-work related arrangements with them.
Gifts and inducements
On no account should any tutor working on Science with Hazel’s behalf give a child a gift or buy refreshments etc. which could be in any way considered as a bribe or inducement to enter into a relationship with any tutor working on Science with Hazel’s behalf or give rise to any false allegations of improper conduct against the individual.
Communicating this policy and concerns
All workers and volunteers who will be working on the behalf of Science with Hazel Ltd will be made aware of this policy. Furthermore, a copy of this policy will be made available to all relevant bodies with whom we work and will be made available to parents and carers of children with whom we plan to work. Any concerns about the assignment or people involved should be addressed with Hazel Lindsey.
Breach of this policy
Failure to follow the guidelines in this policy is considered a serious offence and will be investigated thoroughly and dealt with through a disciplinary procedure. Serious breaches may lead to termination of any agreement (for self-employed tutors, workers or volunteers).
Implementation, monitoring and review of this policy
Hazel Lindsey has overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring this policy, which will be reviewed on a regular basis following its implementation (at least annually) and additionally whenever there are relevant changes in legislation or to our working practices. This information was reviewed on 6/1/2023