top of page

Child Protection Policy

Safeguarding Policy for Hasan Tutors at Queens Crescent Community Centre

 

1. Introduction
This safeguarding policy outlines the commitment of Jamil Hasan, and all tutors involved in Hasan Tutors at the Queens Crescent Community Centre to ensure the safety, well-being, and protection of all children participating in our programs. We recognize that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is fundamental to providing a safe learning environment. This policy is designed to protect children and promote their welfare, ensuring that they are safe from harm, abuse, and neglect while receiving tutoring services.

 

2. Key Principles

  • Welfare of the Child: The safety and welfare of the child are paramount. All actions taken by staff and volunteers will prioritize the child's well-being.

  • Right to Protection: Every child has the right to protection from harm, irrespective of their age, ability, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

  • Duty of Care: All staff, tutors, and volunteers have a duty of care to safeguard children and must always act in the child’s best interests.

  • Proactive Approach: We will take a proactive approach to safeguarding by identifying potential risks, implementing preventative measures, and ensuring that all staff and volunteers are adequately trained.

​

3. Definitions of Abuse
Abuse can manifest in various forms, including but not limited to:

  • Physical Abuse: Involves intentionally causing physical harm to a child, including hitting, shaking, burning, or any other act that causes injury.

  • Emotional Abuse: The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child, leading to severe and adverse effects on their emotional development. This may include verbal abuse, humiliation, rejection, or threatening behaviour.

  • Sexual Abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether the child is aware of what is happening. This includes physical sexual contact as well as non-contact acts such as exposing a child to pornography.

  • Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and emotional needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development. This can include inadequate supervision, malnutrition, and failure to provide medical care.

  • Bullying: Includes repeated aggressive behaviour that can be physical, verbal, or relational, causing emotional or physical harm to another child. Bullying can take place in person or through digital means (cyber-bullying).

 

4. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Tutors and Volunteers:

    • All tutors and volunteers must complete safeguarding training and become familiar with this policy.

    • They are responsible for recognizing and reporting any signs of abuse or neglect to the DSL.

    • Staff must maintain professional boundaries and foster a safe environment for all children.

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Jamil Hasan

    • The DSL is responsible for the overall implementation of safeguarding procedures and ensuring that all staff are trained and aware of safeguarding responsibilities.

    • The DSL acts as the main point of contact for any safeguarding concerns and is responsible for maintaining accurate records of incidents and actions taken.

    • The DSL will liaise with external agencies, such as social services and law enforcement, as necessary and will provide guidance and support to staff in managing safeguarding concerns.

  • Parents and Guardians:

    • Parents and guardians play a critical role in safeguarding and are encouraged to communicate any concerns regarding their child’s welfare to tutors and the DSL.

    • Parents should be informed of our safeguarding policy and procedures and are encouraged to discuss any issues openly.

 

5. Safer Recruitment Practices
To ensure a safe environment for children, the following recruitment practices will be adhered to:

  • Background Checks: All tutors and volunteers must undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to commencing work. This includes checks against the children’s barred list to ensure suitability for working with children.

  • References: Candidates must provide at least two references from previous employers or organizations where they have worked with children. These references will be followed up to ensure the integrity of the candidate.

  • Interviews: All candidates will undergo a thorough interview process that includes questions related to safeguarding, their understanding of child protection, and scenarios to assess their response to potential safeguarding issues.

  • Training: All staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding training upon commencement of their roles and refresher training annually to stay updated on policies and best practices.

 

6. Code of Conduct
All staff and volunteers are expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct to maintain a safe environment:

  • Respect and Dignity: All children must be treated with respect and dignity. Their rights and feelings should always be prioritized.

  • Professional Boundaries: Maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Staff must avoid actions that could be construed as favouritism or inappropriate. This includes maintaining appropriate physical boundaries and avoiding unnecessary physical contact.

  • Physical Contact: Any physical contact with children must be justifiable, such as providing comfort to a distressed child or aiding a child in their learning. If physical contact is necessary, staff must ensure it is appropriate and in line with best practices.

  • Confidentiality: All personal information about children must be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Information should only be shared with relevant parties in accordance with the law and safeguarding procedures.

  • Use of Technology: Staff must use technology and social media responsibly. Any communication with students should be professional, and private messages outside of tutoring sessions should be avoided.

 

7. Responding to Concerns
If a tutor or volunteer has concerns about a child’s welfare, they must follow these procedures:

  1. Document the Concern: Record the details of the concern as soon as possible, including dates, times, what was said or observed, and any actions taken. This documentation should be factual and objective, avoiding personal opinions.

  2. Report Immediately: Inform the DSL (Jamil Hasan) without delay. If the DSL is unavailable, the concern should be reported to a senior member of staff.

  3. DSL Actions: The DSL will:

    • Conduct an initial assessment to determine the appropriate course of action.

    • Consult with external agencies (e.g., social services) if required, ensuring to follow local safeguarding procedures.

    • Keep detailed records of all actions taken, communications made, and outcomes.

  4. Support for the Child: The DSL will ensure that appropriate support is provided to the child, including counselling or referral to additional services if needed.

 

8. Training and Awareness
All staff and volunteers will receive comprehensive safeguarding training that includes:

  • Understanding the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect.

  • How to respond to disclosures or suspicions of abuse.

  • Procedures for reporting concerns and maintaining confidentiality.

  • Information on specific safeguarding issues (e.g., online safety, radicalization, peer-on-peer abuse).

  • Training will be provided upon induction and refreshed annually to ensure staff are kept up to date with the latest policies and best practices.

 

9. Online Safety
To ensure the safety of children during online tutoring sessions, we will implement the following measures:

  • Platform Security: Only use secure and trusted online platforms for virtual sessions. Ensure that privacy settings are configured appropriately.

  • Supervision: Encourage parents or guardians to supervise their children during online sessions. If parents are unable to be present, tutors should ensure that the session is conducted in a safe and monitored environment.

  • Recording Sessions: Sessions may be recorded for quality assurance purposes. Parents/guardians must provide consent before recording any session.

  • Guidelines for Online Interaction: Establish clear guidelines for communication between tutors and students. This includes:

    • Using official communication channels (e.g., school emails or approved messaging platforms).

    • Avoiding personal contact details unless necessary and pre-approved.

 

10. Local Safeguarding Contact Information

In addition to the DSL, the following local resources are available for safeguarding concerns related to adults and children:

  • Camden Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board (SAPB)

    • Contact Name: Camden SAPB

    • Contact Position: Board Manager

    • Telephone: 020 7974 6335

    • Email: CamdenSAPB@camden.gov.uk

    • Website: Camden SAPB Webpages

    • Address: London Borough of Camden, 5 Pancras Square, c/o Town Hall, Judd Street, London, WC1H 9JE

    • Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

  • NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000

This helpline provides confidential support and advice regarding safeguarding
concerns.

 

11. Review of Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are significant changes in
legislation or guidance regarding child safeguarding. Staff will be informed of any
changes, and training will be provided to ensure understanding and compliance with
updated policies.

 

12. Contact Information

bottom of page