Safeguarding Policy

The Community Schools CIC (The Community Schools) exists for the benefit of the students in our community. We are totally committed to the welfare of our students and tutors and have developed this policy document together with the adoption of associated safeguarding procedures to give full meaning to our safeguarding commitments.

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 and Suffolk Safeguarding Board Procedures .

A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk.

This policy is for Tutors, Schools, Parents and Students. This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational procedures and other related documents:

The Community Schools Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures
The Community Schools Online Safety Procedures
The Community Schools Code of Conduct for Tutors
The Community Schools Student Behaviour Code
The Community Schools Anti Bullying Policy and Procedures
The Community Schools Safer Recruitment Procedures
The Community Schools Complaints Procedure
The Community Schools Policy and Procedures on Whistleblowing, Maladministration and Malpractice
The Community Schools Commitment to Equal Opportunities
Definitions of Abuse
Our terms and conditions

The Community Schools offer both in-person and online tutoring services which each fall within the scope of this policy statement.

We believe that

our students should never experience abuse of any kind
we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all our students, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them
each student will receive their tutoring in a safe environment, with reasonable steps taken to protect every student from harm, discrimination or demeaning treatment.
every student is entitled to have their rights, wishes and feelings respected
every tutor is entitled to be treated with respect

We recognise that

the welfare of each student is paramount (The Children Act 1989)
working in partnership with students, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting the students’ welfare
all students, 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
some students are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

We will seek to keep our students safe by

valuing, listening to and respecting them
appointing a Designated child protection lead for safeguarding and an Assistant Designated child protection lead for safeguarding
adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct
providing effective support measures and updated training for our tutors so that they know about and follow our safeguarding policies and procedures confidently and competently
recruiting tutors safely
Ensuring compliance with GDPR legislation