Reviewed by: Florence Antonioli

Last revised: September 2024

Introduction 

This policy applies to all self-employed tutors and employees whose work brings them into contact with children for, or on behalf of, Ma Petite Ecole. 

Aims of this Policy 

This policy aims to provide a clear framework to ensure all children receiving tuition services from Ma Petite Ecole are protected from harm. The safeguarding procedures and guidance in this policy are in place to protect the children we work with, self- employed tutors and employees. All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent all parties from harm. 

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead at Ma Petite Ecole is: 

Florence Antonioli

07941964609

info@mapetiteecole.co.uk

Flavia Sala

Tuition 

Ma Petite Ecole provides tuition and educational support to children.

For all 1:1 tuition arranged by, or on behalf of, Ma Petite Ecole, an additional adult must be on site at all times for the duration of the tuition. This includes in-person tuition in the home, placement or any other building and when tuition is delivered online. This is to protect all parties. If tuition is to be carried out in a public place, or a student is to be accompanied by a tutor, or tutors, in the community, a Risk Assessment must be carried out and shared with all relevant adults. 

If tuition is taking place at home, it should take place in a communal area: kitchen, living room or dining room. An adult should be present in the building for the duration of the tuition. 

Online Tuition 

A responsible adult must be in the building with the student for the entire session. The background environment should not display any inappropriate/personal images or documentation that could be viewed by the student or responsible adult. The online platform can only be used during agreed tuition times. The tuition session may be recorded if all parties agree. 

Tuition in the Community 

A risk assessment must be carried out prior to tuition taking place in a public place. This tuition must be authorised and agreed by Ma Petite Ecole and parent/carer. 

In Person Tuition 

Planning Activities 

All activities involving children should be planned in advance to ensure they take into account the age, needs and ability of the student/s. Self-employed tutors and employees working with children should be competent to do so. Where appropriate, a risk assessment will be undertaken and documented. 

Tutors must not offer to transport a child anywhere unless as part of a formal arrangement with Ma Petite Ecole and the parent/carer. 

Physical contact 

On no account should any self-employed tutor, employee, worker or volunteer have any physical contact with a child unless it is to prevent accident or injury to themselves or anyone else, or in the case of medical assistance being needed (e.g. to administer first aid if certified,) or to provide general care, in which case the consent of the affected person should be requested where possible. 

If a child is hurt or distressed, the tutor should do their best to comfort or reassure the affected person. The incident will be reported to the parent/carer and a Ma Petite Ecole staff member as soon as possible. 

Communication 

Communication with children is vital in establishing relationships built on trust. Tutors working with children should take care to listen to what they are saying and respond appropriately. Children are entitled to the same respect as any tutors or employee. It should also be made clear what standards of behaviour and mutual respect are expected from them. 

Those working with children should behave appropriately and ensure that language and tone is appropriate. Tutors should also note that while the use of humour can help build a rapport, some jokes may be harmful to the well-being of children. 

Self-employed tutors and employees should not enter into any social or other arrangements with children unless related to the tuition agreed. 

Safety 

We are committed to providing a safe environment within which to work, learn and progress. Those working with children should ensure all appropriate risk assessments and security checks have been carried out prior to any assignment and that any equipment provided for tuition is suitable and safe. 

Tutors are not permitted to transport children in any vehicle unless authorised in writing by Ma Petite Ecole and if the correct insurance is in place. 

Behaviour and Abuse 

Tutors should aim to promote an environment of trust and understanding and should model expected behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour from a child should be recorded and shared with Ma Petite Ecole. All self-employed tutors and employees at Ma Petite Ecole have a strict duty never to subject any child to any form of harm or abuse. This means that it is unacceptable, for example, to treat a child in any of the following ways: 

• actions that may cause distress. 

• shouting or using derogatory names. 

• slap, strike, kick a child. 

• hold them in such a way that it causes pain, or to shake them. 

• physically restrain them except to protect them from harming themselves or others. 

• take part in rough games. 

• allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any kind. 

• do things of a personal nature for the person that they can do for themselves (this includes changing clothing, or going to the toilet with them unless another adult is present). 

• allow or engage in sexually suggestive behaviour within a child's sight or hearing, or make suggestive remarks to or within earshot. 

• give or show anything which could be construed as pornographic. 

• seek or agree to meet them anywhere outside of the normal workplace without the full prior knowledge and agreement of the parent/carer and Ma Petite Ecole. 

• engage with them online in any way that is not related to tuition. 

• share social media details and/or accept friendship requests on Facebook/Snapchat or follow/befriend on any other social media platform. 

• exchange personal email addresses except for use in relation to tuition. 

• engage with inappropriate conversations. 

If a self-employed tutor or employee feels a student is inappropriately seeking their attention, they will ask for support from Ma Petite Ecole DSL. 

Suspicions of Abuse 

Any worker who witnesses or suspects abusive behaviour towards a child should record the details and report it to Ma Petite Ecole DSL. It is NOT the individual's responsibility to investigate their suspicions. Any allegations of abuse made against anyone working for or in connection with Ma Petite Ecole will be thoroughly investigated and advice may be sought from other safeguarding agencies. Serious breaches may lead to dismissal (for employees) or termination of any agreement (for self-employed tutors). 

Ma Petite Ecole will appropriately record any allegation or reported incident and will be responsible for contacting the statutory child protection agency such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or the police if necessary. If an employee or self-employed tutor discovers that an act of Female Genital Mutilation appears to have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18 it must be reported to the police but preferably to Ma Petite Ecole first. 

Confidentiality 

All personal information regarding children is highly confidential and should only be shared with appropriate people on a need-to-know basis. Information will be stored securely online by Ma Petite Ecole. Tutors and employees are responsible for keeping information confidential and secure. 

Gifts and Inducements 

On no account should anyone from or working in partnership with Ma Petite Ecole give a child a gift or buy refreshments etc. which could be in any way considered as a bribe or inducement to enter into an inappropriate relationship with them. 

Criminal Records 

Employees and self-employed tutors must declare all criminal convictions, however long ago; and these will be taken into account when deciding on their suitability for working with children. Tutors will only be permitted to undertake a role which involves contact with children with a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

Legal Considerations 

The main acts for the protection and prevention of cruelty to children include: 

• The Children Act 1989. This is a framework for the protection and safeguarding of children. 

• Every Child Matters – 2004. It requires Local Authorities to use a multi-agency approach to assist in the protection of children. 

• Keeping Children Safe in Education. 2023. This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002. Schools and colleges in England must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. 

• Vetting and Barring- School Vetting and Barring Scheme – ISA Barred List.1997. 

Communicating this Policy 

All employees and self-employed tutors will be made aware of this policy and a copy will be available via the Ma Petite Ecole website. Furthermore, a copy of this policy will be made available to all relevant bodies with whom Ma Petite Ecole work and will be made available to parents and carers of children on request. 

Breach of this Policy 

Failure to follow the guidelines in this policy is considered a serious offence and will be investigated thoroughly and dealt with through disciplinary procedures for employees and self-employed tutors. Serious breaches may lead to dismissal (for employees) and termination of any agreement (for self- employed tutors). Other agencies may be consulted where necessary. 

Reporting Allegations and Concerns 

All allegations or suspicions of abuse must be reported immediately to the DSL by email in accordance with the procedures set out by Ma Petite Ecole in the document ‘How to Report a Cause for Concern’. In all cases where an allegation is made, or concerns have been raised, Ma Petite Ecole will record the matter and investigate. A ‘Cause for Concern’ form will be completed. 

• Details can include all or some of the following: 

• Name of person reporting 

• Name of child 

• Age/DOB 

• Name/s and contact details of parent/s/carer/s 

• Telephone numbers if available 

• What is the nature of the concern? 

• Dates and times of any specific incidents 

• Has the child been spoken to? If so, what was said? 

• Who has this been passed on to? e.g. Ma Petite Ecole staff member, social services etc. 

• Has anyone else been consulted? If so, record details. 

Any abuse or suspicion of abuse towards a child by an employee or tutor must be reported to Ma Petite Ecole DSL. 

Disclosure by a Child 

• If a child discloses information to a member of staff or tutor that they have been emotionally, physically, sexually abused or if neglect is suspected, the reporting procedures must be followed, with reference to the following particular guidelines: 

• Never guarantee absolute confidentiality. Let them know that you may need to discuss what they say with someone else. 

• Listen to the child, rather than question them directly. Offer them reassurance without making promises and take what the child says seriously. 

• Allow the child to speak without interruption. 

• Accept what is said – it is not your role to investigate or question. Keep calm. Refrain from offering an opinion. Avoid making judgements. 

• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing and that you will do your best to help them. 

• Advise that you will try to offer support, but that you must pass the information on. 

• Explain what you have to do and who you have to tell. 

• Record the discussion accurately, as soon as possible after the event. Send the details in an email to Ma Petite Ecole DSL and follow up with a call to make sure it has been received and acknowledged. 

• Use the child’s words or explanations – do not translate into your own words, in case you have misconstrued what the child was trying to say. 

• If the DSL is not available, or it is inappropriate to approach them, the concern should be referred to one of the contacts below. See ‘Emergency Contacts’ section. 

Incidents where the Tutor or Employee Feels Unsafe 

If you as a self-employed tutor or employee find yourself in a situation where you feel threatened, unsafe or uncomfortable, report this to one the Ma Petite Ecole DSL. 

When to Report 

If you are concerned for the well-being of a child, or for yourself, for any reason, report it to one of the team at Ma Petite Ecole. If something doesn’t feel right, or you are worried at the end of the day, or even days later, report your concerns. 

EMERGENCY CONTACTS 

Social Services 

Direct contact can be made with social services by anyone who has immediate concern about a child’s safety. Below are the out of hours numbers for Westminster Social Services (for our Maida Vale school) and Camden Social Services (for our Belsize Park school). Please search online for the number if your concern is regarding a child from a different borough. 

Westminster Social Services 

020 7641 4000

Emergency Duty Team number: 020 7641 2388 

Camden Social Services 

CAMDEN Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO):

Name: Jacqueline Fearon

Contact details: 020 7974 4556

LADO@camden.gov.uk

Local Authority Directorate:

Name: Kurt Ferdinand (Child Protection Service Manager) Tel: 020 7974 6481

Name: Tracey Murphy (Child & Family Contact/MASH Team) Tel: 020 7974 3317

Police Prevent Engagement Officer: 07818587396

Camden Prevent Co-ordinator: 020 7974 1475

Lucy Coull (Mash Education Lead): MASHEducation@camden.gov.uk

Camden Social Services

020 7974 6666

Emergency Duty Team number: 020 7974 4444 

In case of an emergency call 999 

To report an incident or concern that is not an emergency: dial 111 

NSPCC Help line 

Tel: 0808 800 5000

Text: 88858

Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Online: www.nspcc.org.uk/reportconcern