Safeguarding Policy

Authored: 17/02/2026 Last Reviewed: 17/02/2026 Next Review Due: On or before 17/02/2027

1.0 Overview

Safeguarding is of the utmost importance to LiteLearn, and we are committed to maintaining it as a core pillar of our organisation. This policy applies to every individual working with or on behalf of our company – including senior managers, directors, employees, contractors, volunteers, and tutors – all of whom are expected to share this vital commitment to safety and transparency. By adopting this framework, we ensure that our approach to child protection is consistent, legally compliant, and held to the highest ethical standards across all of our high-impact, short-form tuition services.

This policy is based on current UK legislation and statutory guidance designed to promote and protect the welfare of children and adults at risk. We operate under the foundational principle that the welfare of children is paramount in every decision we take and every action we perform. We recognise that all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse. Our “prevention and protection” strategy is designed to create a transparent learning environment where students feel valued, listened to, and respected at all times.

LiteLearn is a Welsh-registered organisation and operates primarily under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. However, as we provide services to students across the United Kingdom, we undertake to comply with the relevant statutory guidance of the jurisdiction in which each student resides, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for students in England. All safeguarding referrals will be made to the local authority relevant to the student’s physical location at the time of the concern.

2.0 General Safeguarding Objectives

We recognise that:

Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
Extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.
Adults may also be at risk, for a variety of reasons including (but not limited to) age and disability, and are deserving of the same care, attention and protection.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

Valuing, listening to and respecting them.
Appointing a designated child protection lead for children and young people.
Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures.
Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and tutors know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently.

3.0 Responding to Concerns & Management of Disclosures

LiteLearn operates a strict “no-delay” reporting culture to ensure the most accurate recording of facts and to prevent the loss of critical detail. Any member of staff, volunteer, or tutor who identifies a concern regarding the welfare of a child or adult at risk is required to submit a formal report directly to our safeguarding team.

We adhere to a fact-based reporting standard, ensuring that assumptions or interpretations are excluded in favour of objective observations. If a disclosure is made, our team is trained to listen without judgement and avoid leading questions, ensuring the individual can respond openly in their own words.

We maintain a policy of total transparency regarding confidentiality; we never promise to keep secrets and are open with children and adults at risk that concerns for their welfare must be shared with professional authorities to secure the necessary support. It is explicitly understood that our role is not to investigate, but to act as a vigilant link to statutory bodies such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the Local Children’s Safeguarding Partnership (LCSP), or the police.

All records related to child protection are stored securely in password-protected environments and retained in accordance with statutory requirements. For students, records are typically retained until they reach the age of 25 (or 30 in Northern Ireland). Furthermore, records relating to allegations against adults working with children are retained at least until the individual reaches their normal retirement age or for 10 years from the date of the allegation, whichever is longer. When the retention period expires, all confidential records, whether paper-based or digital, are securely destroyed.

4.0 Recognising Signs of Risk and Abuse

LiteLearn is committed to ensuring that all tutors and staff are equipped to identify the indicators of harm. We recognise that abuse and neglect can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation.

Indicators of risk may include:

Sudden changes in a student’s behaviour or emotional state, such as becoming unusually withdrawn, aggressive, or anxious during sessions.
Physical indicators, such as unexplained bruising or recurring injuries.
Developmental signs, such as a lack of basic hygiene or inadequate clothing.
Risks from online activities such as grooming, cyberbullying, or exposure to inappropriate content, which can manifest as a student becoming secretive about their digital interactions.

It is important to understand that a single indicator may not always be proof of abuse; however, we operate a culture of vigilance where we can be aware of ‘low-level’ concerns and identify potential patterns of harm.

We recognise that perpetrators can be adults, but child-on-child abuse is also a significant risk that must be identified and addressed. Our team is trained to listen to the student’s voice and observe their well-being throughout every interaction. By maintaining this high level of awareness, we ensure that concerns are identified and reported without delay, allowing for professional intervention through the proper statutory channels.

5.0 Key Roles & Safeguarding Contacts

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at LiteLearn takes the lead in ensuring that appropriate arrangements for keeping children and young people safe are in place at all times. The DSL is responsible for promoting the welfare of students, receiving and recording concerns, and acting as the primary point of contact for statutory agencies such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the police. This role includes making formal referrals to agencies when necessary and ensuring that everyone working with LiteLearn understands the safeguarding procedures and knows how to act upon welfare concerns.

The DSL maintains specialist certifications through regular training with various organisations including the NSPCC, The Tutors’ Association, and relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure our practices meet the highest national standards.

The Deputy Safeguarding Lead acts in a supporting capacity, ensuring that safeguarding remains an ongoing priority and that requirements are followed at all levels of the organisation. Both leads are responsible for maintaining secure child protection records and liaising with the board of directors to keep them informed of any organisational safeguarding practices or concerns.

Their contact details, and those of other key agencies and organisations can be found below:

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL at LiteLearn are responsible for the overall safeguarding strategy and act as the primary contact points for staff, tutors, and external agencies. Their core mandate is to provide ready and accessible guidance on all safeguarding matters, ensuring that the welfare of children remains the paramount consideration in all organisational activities. The Safeguarding Team is responsible for the adoption, implementation, and regular auditing of all policies to ensure LiteLearn remains compliant with evolving UK statutory guidance.

In addition to internal governance, the DSL and Deputies manage the secure storage of all child protection records, ensuring they are maintained in password-protected environments and retained according to legal requirements. When working within partner educational settings, they liaise directly with school-based safeguarding leads to ensure a coordinated approach to student safety, particularly regarding online and digital security.

6.0 Tutor Misconduct

All LiteLearn tutors are required to hold a valid Enhanced DBS Certificate issued within the past two years, or be registered with the DBS Update Service with a certificate of the equivalent level, with all checks verified by our safeguarding team prior to any engagement on the platform.

LiteLearn takes any and all allegations of misconduct seriously, and follows a strict protocol when a concern or allegation is raised against a tutor:

Initial Assessment: The DSL will immediately clarify and record the details of any allegation. In line with LiteLearn’s standards, the DSL will discuss the matter with the Deputy to determine if a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or the police is required.
Tutor Suspension: For the duration of any safeguarding investigation, the profile of the tutor concerned will be suspended from the platform to ensure student safety.
Support & Liaison: LiteLearn will continue to support the individual during the investigation. Should the matter be referred to outside authorities, an unconnected staff member will be nominated to keep the individual updated on the progress of the case and signpost them to external support networks such as their GP, Childline or Samaritans.
Reporting Outcomes: Once an investigation is concluded, the DSL will report the outcome to the person who raised the original concern and, where appropriate, to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

7.0 Underpinning Legislation and Guidance

Legislation

Children Act 1989 & 2004 (England & Wales): Sets out the duty of care and the foundational principle that the child’s welfare is paramount.
Children and Families Act 2014 (England & Wales): Primarily applies to England, though certain provisions regarding family justice and the Children’s Commissioner extend to Wales.
Care Act 2014 (England Only): Defines “Adults at Risk” and support for those with additional needs in England; the Welsh equivalent is the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
Data Protection Act 2018 (UK Wide): Incorporates UK GDPR and governs the secure storage and retention of child protection records.
Equality Act 2010 (UK Wide): Ensures safeguarding is inclusive and non-discriminatory.
Online Safety Act 2025 (UK Wide): Establishes duties for platforms to protect children from harmful and illegal content online.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (England & Wales): Provides the framework for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Sexual Offences Act 2003 (England & Wales): Defines illegal behaviours and professional boundaries.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991 (UK Wide): Establishes international standards for child protection, adopted as a basis for policy in Wales.

Guidance

After-school clubs, community activities and tuition: safeguarding guidance for providers (England Only): Non-statutory guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) for out-of-school settings in England.
Children’s Code (issued under S125 DPA 2018) (UK Wide): Articulates how online services must comply with UK GDPR when processing children’s data.
Guidance for Safer Working Practice (February 2022) (England & Wales): Practical guidance for education settings regarding professional safe conduct.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 (England Only): Statutory guidance issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 for schools and colleges in England. The Welsh equivalent is Keeping Learners Safe.
PREVENT Duty Guidance (England & Wales): Statutory guidance on tackling the ideological causes of terrorism and radicalisation.
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused? (2015) (England & Wales): Advice for practitioners on identifying and responding to child maltreatment.
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 (England Only): Statutory guidance for multi-agency working in England. The Welsh equivalent is Working Together to Safeguard People.