POLICY STATEMENT

Kerry Gooderson tutor believes that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our service and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the service. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns. We aim to bring all concerns about the running of our setting to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties involved.

Kerry Gooderson will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Our intention is to create a positive culture and ethos where safeguarding is an important part of everyday life in the setting, backed up by training at every level.  The signs of successful safeguarding procedures are that children are protected and feel safe. 

When your child takes part in a tutoring session you understand that Kerry will endeavor to look after them with the utmost care. Incidents and accidents do happen and will be dealt with appropriately. Public liability and indemnity insurance are in place in the unlikely events of serious incidents or injury. Please refer to the complaints procedure to initiate any concerns.

Safeguarding

At Kerry Gooderson Tutoring we acknowledge our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children at risk across all associated classes and anyone involved with the company.

 Our Safeguarding policy is based on the following key principles –

- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

- We have a child-centred approach

- Report and take action

Introduction

The welfare of all children at risk engaged in activities with Kerry Gooderson Tutor, and its community activities, is paramount. Kerry Gooderson Tutor recognises that all children have the right to participate in activities in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. Kerry Gooderson Tutor recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity.

To whom does this policy apply:

This policy applies to Kerry Gooderson Tutor and covers children under the age of 18 and adults at risk. All participants engaging with Kerry Gooderson Tutor and within our community activities regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnicity or sexual identity, have the right to be protected from harm.

Kerry Gooderson Tutor Personnel

As a person with direct responsibility for working with children at risk. Kerry Gooderson will be required to have a current DBS check undertaken, in the process of being checked/renewed or present an up-to-date DBS Certificate number for review. Kerry Gooderson Tutor will be vigilant in monitoring all areas where children and at risk are in attendance. All allegations, suspicions of harm and concerns will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.

Kerry Gooderson Tutor Roles and Responsibilities

To ensure that we can uphold all safeguarding procedure, we will

• Appoint a Foundation Safeguarding Officer (FSO), and if appropriate a deputy, as the first point of contact for safeguarding and welfare concerns.
• Ensure that the FSO is a member of, or attends, the appropriate committees making safeguarding issues a priority at the proper level.
• Develop a safeguarding training plan.
• Inform all parents, guardians and children when a new FSO is appointed.
• Ensure Kerry Gooderson is aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Ensure that at any youth disciplinary panel the FSO supports the child and ensures the panel considers the child’s emotional wellbeing throughout.
• Identify any signs of harm and report them.

 

Good Practice

Kerry Gooderson Tutor will ensure that all of its personnel comply with the Good Practice Guidance. In summary, the following are NOT acceptable and will be treated seriously and may result in disciplinary action being taken by Kerry Gooderson;

• Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children.
• Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
• Smoking in the presence of children.
• Humiliating children.
• Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child.
• Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children (outside of suitable drama-related activities)
• Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child developed as a result of being in a ‘position of trust.’
• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material. The Pocket Theatre will manage any changing facilities accordingly and ensure the correct arrangements are made prior to any events, and that the appropriate number of chaperones with DBS checks are in place to supervise child and adults at risk.

Photographs, Videos and Press Photography

The use of cameras, audio or visual recording equipment must be authorised by Kerry Gooderson Tutor, for instances where Zoom screenshots are taken for review of a lesson. Kerry will endeavour to exclude children from the image and only share this information with family. Before any photos/videos are published of students (this is highly unlikely to happen) parental permission will be sought. This policy makes it clear that, where parents/guardians do not wish photos of their children to be taken and/or publicised, then the responsible personnel will ensure these wishes are respected.

Legislation and Guidance that support this policy

The Child Act 1989, The Child Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, The Human Rights Act 1998, Protection of Children Act 1999

For contact email kerrygooderson@hotmail.co.uk

Or Call Kerry Gooderson – 07736 935142

NSPCC Helpline T: 0808 800 5000

Child Protection Concerns: Hertfordshire County Council Children's Services: 0300 123 4043 (including out of hours). 

www.nspcc.org.uk

 

Complaints Policy

At Kerry Gooderson Tutor we aim to work in partnership with parents to deliver a high quality service for everyone. If for any reason we fall short of this goal, we would like to be informed in order to amend our practices for the future. Our complaints policy is displayed online at all times. Records of all complaints are kept for at least three years. A summary of complaints is available for parents on request.

The Directors/manager is usually responsible for dealing with complaints. If the complaint is about the Directors/manager, a suitable referee (a trusted person within the community) will be appointed to manage the matter. Complaints about any company members will be recorded on an Incident log and a Complaints log will be completed. Any complaints made will be dealt with in the following manner:

Stage one

Complaints about aspects of tutoring activity:

• The Directors/manager will discuss the matter informally with the parent or carer concerned and aim to reach a satisfactory resolution.

Stage two

If it is impossible to reach a satisfactory resolution to the complaint through informal discussion, the parent or carer should put their complaint in writing to Kerry Gooderson. The manager will:

• Acknowledge receipt of the letter within 7 days.
• Investigate the matter and notify the complainant of the outcome within 28 days.
• Send a full response in writing, to all relevant parties, including details of any recommended changes to be made to the company’s practices or policies as a result of the complaint.
• Meet relevant parties to discuss the company’’s response to the complaint, either together or on an individual basis.

If child protection issues are raised, the Directors/manager will refer the situation to the Club’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will then contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and follow the procedures of the Safeguarding Children Policy. If a criminal act may have been committed, the Directors/ manager will contact the police.

 

Equalities Policy

At Kerry Gooderson Tutor, we will ensure that we provide a safe and caring environment, free from discrimination, for everyone in our community including children with additional needs. To achieve the Company’s objective of creating an environment free from discrimination and welcoming to all, the company will:

• Respect the different racial origins, religions, cultures and languages in a multi-ethnic society so that each child and employee is valued as an individual without racial or gender stereotyping.
• Not discriminate against children on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, class, family status or HIV/Aids status.
• Help all children to celebrate and express their cultural and religious identity by providing a wide range of appropriate resources and activities.
• Strive to ensure that children feel good about themselves and others, by celebrating the differences which make us all unique individuals.
• Ensure that its services are available to all parents/carers and children in the local community.
• Ensure that the company’s recruitment policies and procedures are open, fair and nondiscriminatory.
• Work to fulfil all the legal requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
• We will monitor and review the effectiveness of our inclusive practice by conducting an Inclusion Audit on an annual basis.

Challenging inappropriate attitudes and practices

We will challenge inappropriate attitudes and practices by engaging children and adults in discussion, by displaying positive images of race and disability, and through our staff modelling anti-discriminatory behaviour at all times.

Racial harassment

Kerry Gooderson Tutor will not tolerate any form of racial harassment. The company will challenge racist and discriminatory remarks, attitudes and behaviour from the children at sessions, from staff and from any other adults (eg parents/carers who may be present during online sessions).

Promoting equal opportunities

The company’s Equal Opportunities Named Coordinator (ENCO) is Kerry Gooderson. Kerry Gooderson is responsible for ensuring that:

• Staff receive relevant and appropriate training
• The Equalities policy is consistent with current legislation and guidance
• Appropriate action is taken wherever discriminatory behaviour, language or attitudes occur.

Children with additional needs

Our company recognises that some children have additional needs or physical disabilities that require particular support and assistance. We will assess the individual needs of each child in consultation with their parents prior to their attending sessions, and will make reasonable adjustments to ensure that children can access our services and are made to feel welcome.