Effective Date: [Insert Date] Last Updated: [Insert Date]
The Rubicon Tutors website, accessible at https://RubiconTutors.com, is owned and operated by UK STUDY TODAY Ltd is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, who use our tutoring services. [cite: 1]
Our Safeguarding Policy outlines the measures we take to protect students and tutors, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for learning, both online and in-person. [cite: 2]
This policy applies to all tutors, students, parents, and users of the https://www.rubicontutors.com platform, and it is a critical part of our responsibility to ensure that all those who interact with https://www.rubicontutors.com are treated with respect and are protected from harm. [cite: 3]
Rubicon Tutors seeks to foster a culture where safeguarding is prioritized, and every individual feels safe, supported, and confident in using the platform for their educational needs. [cite: 4]
The purpose of this Safeguarding Policy is to outline how Rubicon Tutors ensures that:
Tutors and students are protected from harm, abuse, and neglect. [cite: 5]
Safeguarding responsibilities are clearly understood by all tutors, students, and other stakeholders. [cite: 6]
Clear procedures are in place to deal with safeguarding concerns, allegations, or disclosures. [cite: 7]
Tutors are equipped with the knowledge and training necessary to recognize and address potential safeguarding issues. [cite: 8]
This policy is based on the best practices set out by safeguarding legislation and regulations, including the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004, and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. [cite: 9]
Rubicon Tutors complies with all relevant UK safeguarding laws, ensuring a safe learning environment. [cite: 10]
This policy applies to all tutors, students, and parents using the https://www.rubicontutors.com platform, including:
Tutors who provide online and in-person tutoring services to students. [cite: 11]
Students, both children and vulnerable adults, who use the platform to access tutoring services. [cite: 12]
Parents or guardians of students under the age of 18. [cite: 13]
Rubicon Tutors’ internal staff responsible for monitoring and managing the platform. [cite: 13, 14]
Rubicon Tutors' Responsibilities
As the platform provider, Rubicon Tutors takes overall responsibility for safeguarding practices. [cite: 14]
This includes:
Ensuring tutors undergo the necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before being approved to tutor on the platform. [cite: 15]
Providing clear and accessible safeguarding training and guidance to tutors. [cite: 16]
Ensuring tutors and users of the platform understand their safeguarding obligations.
Monitoring tutor-student interactions to identify any potential safeguarding concerns. [cite: 17]
Acting swiftly and appropriately if any safeguarding issue or concern arises. [cite: 18]
Tutors’ Responsibilities
Tutors on Rubicon Tutors are responsible for:
Ensuring their interactions with students remain appropriate, respectful, and professional. [cite: 19]
Reporting any concerns about a student’s welfare, behavior, or safety to Rubicon Tutors immediately. [cite: 20]
Maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), except in cases where disclosure is necessary for safeguarding purposes. [cite: 21]
Completing the required DBS check and adhering to any relevant safeguarding training provided by Rubicon Tutors. [cite: 22]
Parents’ and Guardians’ Responsibilities
Parents and guardians of students under 18 years old are responsible for:
Providing accurate and up-to-date contact information for their children’s safety and communication. [cite: 23]
Monitoring their children’s online learning experience and ensuring they are in a safe environment during tutoring sessions. [cite: 24]
Ensuring that any safeguarding concerns related to their child’s wellbeing are raised with Rubicon Tutors immediately. [cite: 25]
4.1 Tutor Training
All tutors are required to complete a safeguarding training module before registering with https://www.rubicontutors. [cite: 26]
The training includes:
Understanding what constitutes abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. [cite: 27]
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of abuse in children and vulnerable adults. [cite: 28]
Reporting mechanisms for safeguarding concerns, both within the platform and externally (e.g., reporting to local authorities or child protection agencies). [cite: 29]
Understanding the boundaries of appropriate conduct with students. [cite: 30]
4.2 DBS Checks
In accordance with UK law, Rubicon Tutors requires that all tutors undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they are allowed to begin tutoring. [cite: 30, 31]
This ensures that tutors have no criminal history that would make them unsuitable for working with children or vulnerable adults. [cite: 31]
DBS checks are mandatory for tutors working with minors or vulnerable adults, and all tutors are expected to cooperate with this process. [cite: 32]
4.3 Safe Communication
All communication between tutors and students on the https://www.rubicontutors platform must be conducted through the platform’s secure messaging system. [cite: 33]
Tutors should avoid direct communication through private phone numbers, personal emails, or social media accounts. [cite: 34]
This ensures transparency and allows Rubicon Tutors to monitor conversations for any potential safeguarding concerns. [cite: 35]
For in-person tutoring, tutors are required to ensure that sessions take place in public or appropriate settings. [cite: 36]
Rubicon Tutors encourages the use of public libraries, community centers, or other safe venues. [cite: 37]
4.4 Online Tutoring Safeguards
Rubicon Tutors uses secure video conferencing tools for online tutoring sessions. [cite: 38]
These platforms ensure that all sessions are encrypted and recorded, providing a record of interactions should any safeguarding issue arise. [cite: 39]
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to monitor their child’s online tutoring sessions if they are under the age of 18. [cite: 40]
Rubicon Tutors will monitor randomly selected tutoring sessions for quality assurance and to ensure that safeguarding standards are being upheld. [cite: 40]
If a tutor, student, or parent has a safeguarding concern, they must report it to Rubicon Tutors immediately using the following channels:
Email: safeguarding@RubiconTutors.com
Rubicon Tutors will treat all safeguarding concerns seriously and respond swiftly. [cite: 41, 42]
We will investigate any allegations or disclosures thoroughly and take appropriate action, which may include suspension of the tutor’s account or reporting to the relevant authorities if necessary. [cite: 42]
Physical Abuse
Physical harm to a child or vulnerable adult, such as hitting, slapping, or excessive physical punishment. [cite: 43]
Signs: Unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures; fear of certain individuals or places. [cite: 44]
Emotional Abuse
Behaviors that harm a student’s emotional development, such as constant criticism, verbal threats, or rejection. [cite: 45]
Signs: Low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, aggressive behavior. [cite: 46]
Sexual Abuse
Involvement of a student in sexual activity or exploitation. [cite: 46]
Signs: Difficulty walking or sitting, knowledge of sexual acts beyond age, inappropriate behavior. [cite: 47]
Neglect
The failure to provide for a student’s basic needs, including food, shelter, or medical care. [cite: 48]
Signs: Hunger, poor hygiene, frequent absences from school, or untreated medical conditions. [cite: 49]
Exploitation
Using a student for personal or financial gain, such as coercion into illegal or harmful activities. [cite: 50]
Signs: Unexplained cash or goods, frequent absences, or pressure to behave in certain ways. [cite: 51]
Rubicon Tutors is committed to protecting the personal data of students, tutors, and other users in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. [cite: 52]
All safeguarding concerns and personal data collected during the process will be handled in strict confidence. [cite: 53]
We will only share information about safeguarding issues with relevant authorities or as required by law. [cite: 54]
Rubicon Tutors is committed to continuous improvement and regularly reviews our safeguarding policies and practices. [cite: 55]
This ensures that we are staying up to date with the latest legislation, regulations, and best practices in safeguarding. [cite: 56]
The effectiveness of our safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually, and any necessary updates will be made to address emerging issues or changes in the law. [cite: 57]
If you have any questions or concerns about this Safeguarding Policy, please contact Rubicon Tutors:
Email: safeguarding@RubiconTutors.com
By using https://www.rubicontutors.com, tutors, students, and parents confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to this Safeguarding Policy.