Safeguarding is about helping to keep children safe from harm. It should be part of how we work, not just something we think about when a problem arises.

As a tutor, you should:

• • know the possible signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation,
  • take a child’s concerns seriously, even if you are unsure what has happened,
  • keep your relationship with students professional,
  • know how to report a safeguarding concern,
  • keep a clear, factual record of anything concerning, and
  • make sure your teaching arrangements are safe, whether lessons take place online or in person.

If you run a tutoring business and work with other tutors, you also need to consider how tutors are recruited, what checks are appropriate, and how safeguarding concerns will be handled.

The legal requirements can vary depending on your role and the type of service you provide. Also, note please that every school safeguarding requirement applies to private tutors.

Good relationships with students matter, but it is important that they remain professional.

A few things to keep in mind:

• • use appropriate channels to communicate with students and parents,
  • agree lesson arrangements and expectations before tuition begins,
  • avoid private, secretive conversations or inappropriate contact outside lessons,
  • never promise a child that you will keep a safeguarding concern secret,
  • respect students’ privacy and avoid unnecessary physical contact, and
  • be careful about how you handle photographs, recordings and personal information.

If a situation makes you uncomfortable, do not ignore it. Check your safeguarding policy and seek advice where necessary.

You do not need to prove that abuse has happened before taking a concern seriously.

If a child tells you something worrying:

1. Listen – stay calm and give the child time to speak. Do not ask leading questions or press them for details.
2. Reassure them – thank them for telling you, and explain that you may need to share the information with someone who can help keep them safe.
3. Write it down – record what was said, using the child’s own words where possible, include the date, time and relevant observations.
4. Report it – if you work for a tutoring company, follow its safeguarding procedure. If you tutor independently, contact your local authority’s children’s social care team for advice or to make a referral.
5. Keep a record – note who you contacted, when you did so and what action was agreed.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not delay urgent action while trying to contact someone else first.

Do not automatically contact a parent if doing so could put the child at greater risk.

NB: If you are unsure what to do, seek advice from the appropriate safeguarding service.

Before starting online tuition, think about the following:

Before a lesson takes place in someone’s home or another venue, check that the arrangements are clear.

If  you are unsure or would like more information, the following official resources are useful places to start.

• Safeguarding guidance for out-of-school settings
  • This is a Department for Education guidance relevant to private tuition, with free safeguarding e-learning.
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026
  • This is a statutory guidance that is used by schools and colleges in England. Some of its content may help inform tutors’ practice, but school-specific requirements should not be assumed to apply directly to every private tutor.
• Guidance for parents and carers on safeguarding children in out-of-school settings
  • This document is useful background for parents/carers on choosing and assessing tutoring and other out-of-school provision.

It is also worth saving the contact details for your local authority’s children’s social care team so you know where to turn if a concern arises.