SAFEGUARDING POLICY
This policy should be read in conjunction with the Mentor Jr. Safeguarding Procedures.
1. Introduction
1.1 Mentor Jr. (MJr) is committed to ensuring the highest level of safeguarding, and we highlight that the personal safety and wellbeing of each tutee and tutor using MJr is of the utmost importance.
1.2 MJr was created with the goal of ensuring that sessions occur in a safe, collaborative and fun environment, reflected by the peer-to-peer ethos, and defined in the Safeguarding Procedures for tutees, guardians and tutors who use MJr.
2. Aims
2.1 The aim of this policy is to safeguard all tutees, guardians and tutors using MJr during sessions
2.2 This policy contains the responsibilities of all persons using MJr including tutors, tutees and their guardians.
2.3 It is important that all persons involved with MJr are familiar with the Safeguarding Procedures
2.4 This policy should be read and understood before engaging in any activity arranged via MJr and the responsibilities and Safeguarding Procedures therein adhered to. Contravention of the Safeguarding Policy document can lead to suspension and/or barring from the service.
​
3. Registration of Tutors
3.1 MJr will only accept sign up and registration from tutors who are currently attending secondary school (Y10 and above) or first or second year university. In order to be part of the tutoring community, tutors must have an active and current school/ university email address, or have provided a certificate to demonstrate their attendance. Without this, they cannot register.
3.2 All communications to the tutors will go via this email address
3.3 MJr conducts a video interview with all tutors as part of the selection process
3.4 MJr requires that all tutors either have DBS checks or are in the process of applying for DBS clearance. Guardians of tutees are entitled to ask their tutor to verify their DBS status during sessions if they so wish.
3.5 MJr encourages tutees and their guardians to provide feedback about their tutors. This enables prospective tutees and responsible adults to choose the tutor best suited to their needs.
Roles and Responsibilities of persons using Mentor Jr.
4. The Tutor
4.1 The tutor shall:
Be sure that their environment does not display any inappropriate images or documentation capable of being viewed by the tutee or their guardian when conducting a session.
Treat students fairly and without prejudice or discrimination; tutees who have a disability or come from a minority ethnic or cultural group can easily become victims of discrimination and prejudice which may be harmful to the tutee’s wellbeing.
Always ensure language is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory.
Ensure any contact with the student is appropriate to their role as a tutor and confined to the relevant lesson session.
Not make any improper suggestions to a student.
Value and take students’ contributions seriously.
Report any dispute with a tutee, guardian, or another tutor to MJr, in accordance with the Safeguarding Procedures.
Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity identified during a session by the tutee or third party, in accordance with Safeguarding Procedures.
Ensure that if no guardian/ responsible adult is present during a session that the tutee is comfortable to continue the session; if not, they can terminate the session.
5. The Tutee
5.1 The tutee shall:
Treat their tutor with respect and fairness, and not subject them to abusive behaviour or language
Not make any improper suggestions to the tutor
Have no inappropriate communication with the tutor outside of educational realms
Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor within a session in accordance with the Safeguarding Procedures.
6. Guardian/ Responsible Adult of the Tutee
6.1 Guardians shall:
Be responsible for the selection of their tutor and make any reasonable checks to ensure the tutor is suitable for the student (including, if required, reviewing the student’s DBS certification documentation).
Ensure the student is fully aware of the MJr Safeguarding Policy.
Always be responsible for the welfare of the tutee during the session.
Always be responsible for the physical environment of the tutee during the session ensuring it is safe and appropriate.
If they consider it appropriate, be present or available during a tutor session so any concerns encountered by the tutee can be reported as soon as possible and ensure the tutee and tutor are behaving in an appropriate manner.
Ensure that tutors will be treated with respect and fairness by the student and will not be subjected to abusive behaviour or language.
Ensure that no improper suggestions are made by either the tutor or tutee.
Ensure the tutee has no inappropriate communication with the tutor outside the sessions.
Report any unsolicited communications between the tutor and tutee if appropriate.
Report any dispute with a tutor to MJr in accordance with Safeguarding Procedures set out in this document.
Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor in accordance with Safeguarding Procedures set out in this document.
7. Director/ Management of Mentor Jr.
7.1 The Director/ Management of MJr shall:
Conduct a video interview with tutors before they are permitted to join the MJr community
Ensure that any dispute between persons using the MJr services is handled efficiently and fairly without discrimination in accordance with the Safeguarding Procedures.
Deal with reports of possible illegal activity promptly, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the student and/or tutor in accordance with the Safeguarding Procedures.
If appropriate, employ the services of an independent Child Protection consultant to review a report concerning the welfare of a student ensuring an appropriate course of action is taken.
Regularly review the Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Procedures to ensure they are relevant and adequate to safeguard all persons using MJr.
8. Review
8.1 The Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Procedures will be reviewed by MJr on a regular basis to ensure it is adequate and relevant to safeguarding standards.
SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES
These procedures should be read in conjunction with the Mentor Jr. Safeguarding Policy.
1. Introduction
1.1 Mentor Jr. (MJr) is committed to ensuring the highest level of safeguarding, and we highlight that the personal safety and wellbeing of each tutee and tutor using MJr is of the utmost importance.
1.2 MJr was created with the goal of ensuring that sessions occur in a safe, collaborative and fun environment, reflected by the peer-to-peer ethos, and reflected in the set of policies and procedures for the tutees, their guardians and tutors who use this service.
1.3 The following sections set out the procedures that should be followed if an incident occurs.
1.4 The safety and wellbeing of tutees, guardians and tutors is paramount. These procedures aim to ensure a prompt response to any incident and to minimise any further harm to a tutee or other person.
1.5 There are differing severities of behaviour which could be witnessed during sessions. Some behaviour would warrant only a report to MJr; other behaviour may be of a more serious nature where a direct report to the police may be necessary.
1.6 Each section below sets out the recommended procedure which should be followed. It is always the responsibility of the person alerted to the incident to take some action to protect the student or other person. MJr will not be responsible for any non-compliance with the recommended procedure.
1.7 The procedures are not an exhaustive list; therefore if an incident occurs that is not covered in this list, you are advised to contact MJr, or the police if you believe that it may be a criminal matter.
2. Tutors
If a tutor sees/ experiences:
2.1 Inappropriate language:
The tutor will request, in a polite manner, that the tutee or other persons using inappropriate language refrains from doing so during their session. If the language continues, the tutor will explain that they will terminate the session due to the language and will report the matter to MJr who will decide on any further use of the service by the tutee or other person involved. The tutor will have no further contact with the tutee unless by mutual agreement with MJr. Any unsolicited contact from the tutee or other persons following the termination of the session should be reported to MJr.
2.2 Inappropriate behaviour
The tutor will request, in a polite manner, that the tutee or other persons involved in the inappropriate behaviour refrains from the behaviour during their session. If the behaviour continues, the tutor will explain that they will terminate the session due to the behaviour and will report the matter to MJr who will decide on any further use of the service by the tutee or other person involved. The tutor should have no further contact with the tutee unless by mutual agreement with MJr. Any unsolicited contact from the tutee or other persons following the termination of the session should be reported to MJr.
2.3 Inappropriate or abusive images
2.3.1 Any display of adult pornographic images whilst in the presence of a tutee may constitute an offence under UK law. Any tutor witnessing the display of adult pornographic images by or towards a student should explain that the images should not be displayed during a session, terminate the session and report the matter to MJr.
2.3.2 Any display of child abuse images or indecent images of a child (for these purposes, a ‘child’ is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years) is an offence under UK law. Any tutor witnessing a display of indecent images of a child by or in the presence of a student should explain that due to the nature of the images they will terminate the session. The tutor should then inform the UK police. The tutor should also inform MJr of the incident and should have no further contact with the tutee or any other person involved in the incident. Any unsolicited contact from the tutee or other persons following the termination of the session should be reported to the police and MJr immediately.
2.3.3 This action should be taken so that the correct authorities can be alerted and can deal appropriately with the incident.
2.3.4 The display of any other images perceived to be inappropriate, either due to the age of the tutee or the content of the image shall be reported to MJr at the discretion of the guardian /responsible adult.
2.4 Disclosure of/witness to abuse towards or in the presence of a student.
2.4.1 Any physical or sexual abuse of a child is an offence under UK law. If a tutor receives information about such abuse from the tutee or other person present they should reassure the person that they can get assistance for them. It is the responsibility of the tutor to contact the UK police and report what has been witnessed.
2.4.2 If the tutor witnesses any such abuse first-hand they should immediately contact the police and report the incident. The tutor should also inform MJr of the incident and should have no further contact with the tutee or other person involved in the incident. Any unsolicited contact from the tutee or other persons following the termination of the session should be reported to the police and MJr immediately.
2.5 Disclosure of inappropriate/sensitive information
2.5.1 During a session, sensitive information may be offered by a tutee or other person present. If the information relates to any kind of abuse, the tutor should refer to ‘Disclosure of/witness to abuse towards or in the presence of a student’, above. The tutee or other person present should be discouraged from disclosing sensitive information by the tutor. If the information continues to be shared the tutor will determine the impact of the information and decide whether to continue or terminate the session and report the incident to MJr.
2.5.2 Any information disclosed regarding the safety of a child should always be reported immediately to the UK police
3. Tutees
If a tutee sees/ experiences:
3.1 Inappropriate language
3.1.1 The tutee will inform their guardian/ responsible adult of the tutor using inappropriate language. The guardian/ responsible adult should ask the tutor to refrain from using inappropriate language during the lesson session. If the language continues the guardian/ responsible adult should explain that they will terminate the session and will report the matter to MJr, who will decide on any further use of the service by the tutor. The student and guardian /responsible adult should have no further contact with the tutor unless by mutual agreement with MJr. Any unsolicited contact from the tutor after termination of the session should be reported to MJr.
3.1.2 If a guardian/ responsible adult is not present or readily available, the tutee should report the language as soon as possible to their guardian/ responsible adult who will take the decision to report the incident.
3.2 Inappropriate behavior
3.2.1 The tutee will inform their guardian/ responsible adult of the tutor using inappropriate behaviour. The guardian/ responsible adult should ask the tutor to refrain from using inappropriate behaviour during the session. If the behaviour continues the guardian/ responsible adult will explain that they will terminate the session due to the behaviour and will report the matter to MJr who will decide on any further use of the service by the tutor. The tutee, guardian/ responsible adult should have no further contact with the tutor unless by mutual agreement with MJr. Any unsolicited contact from the tutor after termination of the session should be reported to MJr.
3.2.2 If a guardian/ responsible adult is not present or readily available the student should report the behaviour as soon as possible to a guardian/ responsible adult who will take a decision to report the incident.
3.2.3 If the behaviour is of a sexual nature towards a student by a tutor, the tutee should immediately inform a guardian/ responsible adult and terminate the session. The guardian/ responsible adult should inform the UK police and MJr immediately.
3.3 Inappropriate or abusive images
3.3.1 Any display of adult pornographic images whilst in the presence of a student may constitute an offence under UK law. Any tutee witnessing the display of adult pornographic images by a tutor should immediately terminate the session and report this to a guardian/ responsible adult who should inform the UK police.
3.3.2 Any display of child abuse images or indecent images of a child (for these purposes, a ‘child’ is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years) is an offence under UK law. Any tutee witnessing a display of indecent images of a child should immediately terminate the session and report this to a guardian/ responsible adult, who should inform the UK police.
3.3.3 The guardian/ responsible adult should also inform MJr of the incident image and the tutee, guardian/ responsible adult should have no further contact with the tutor involved in the incident. Any unsolicited contact from the tutor following the discontinuation of the session should be reported to the police and MJr immediately.
3.3.4 This action should be taken so that the correct authorities can be alerted and can deal appropriately with the incident.
3.3.5 The display of any other images perceived to be inappropriate either due to age of the student or content of the image shall be reported to MJr at the discretion of the guardian/ responsible adult.
3.4 Disclosure of/witness to abuse
3.4.1 Any physical or sexual abuse of a person is an offence under UK law. If a tutee receives information about such abuse from the tutor or other person present they should immediately inform a guardian/ responsible adult. It is the responsibility of the guardian/ responsible adult to contact the UK police and report what was witnessed.
3.4.2 If the tutee witnesses any such abuse first-hand they should immediately contact a guardian/ responsible adult who should immediately inform the UK police. The guardian/ responsible adult should also inform MJr of the incident and the tutee and guardian/ responsible adult should have no further contact with the tutor involved in the incident. Any unsolicited contact from the tutor following the termination of the session should be reported to the guardian/ responsible adult immediately.
3.4.3 This action should be taken so the correct authorities can be alerted and can deal appropriately with the incident.
3.5 Disclosure of inappropriate/sensitive information
3.5.1 During a session, sensitive information may be offered by a tutor (If the information relates to any kind of abuse the tutee should refer to ‘Disclosure of/Witness to abuse’). The tutor should be discouraged from disclosing sensitive information by the tutee, guardian/ responsible adult. The guardian/ responsible adult will determine the impact of the information and decide whether to continue or terminate the session and report the incident to MJr.
3.5.2 Any information disclosed regarding the safety of a child should always be immediately reported to the UK police.
3.5.3 Any tutor reported by a guardian/ responsible adult will be suspended from the site until the incident has been investigated by the appropriate authority. The guardian/ responsible adult may be informed of the resolution if appropriate.
4. Guardians/ Responsible Adults
4.1 As per the Safeguarding Policy, the guardian/ responsible adult has primary responsibility for the welfare and safety of the tutee during a session and should be present or available to deal with any concerns or incidents reported by the tutee.
4.2 It is also the duty of the guardian/ responsible adult to ensure the wellbeing of the child if they have been affected by anything said or done by the tutor.
4.3 If a guardian/ responsible adult is alerted by the tutee to any inappropriate behaviour/language or information by the tutee or they witness any inappropriate behaviour/language or information by the tutor, they should immediately speak to the tutor, state their concern and inform them they are terminating the session. The incident should then be reported to MJr to take appropriate action.
4.4 The guardian/ responsible adult should have no further contact with the tutor involved in the incident. Any unsolicited communication from the tutor should be reported to the police and MJr as soon as possible.
4.5 If a guardian/ responsible adult is alerted by the tutee to any inappropriate or abusive images or they witness any inappropriate or abusive images displayed by the tutor, they should immediately speak to the tutor, state their concern and inform them they are terminating the session. The guardian/ responsible adult should inform the UK police (if appropriate) and (in all cases) MJr of the incident
4.6 The guardian/ responsible adult should have no further contact with the tutor involved in the incident. Any unsolicited communication from the tutor should be reported to the police and MJr as soon as possible.
4.7 Any tutor reported by a guardian/ responsible adult will be suspended from the site until the incident has been investigated by the appropriate authority. The guardian/ responsible adult will be informed of the resolution if appropriate.
​
5. Director/ Management of Mentor Jr.
5.1 The Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Procedures of the MJr website are the responsibility of the Director and management.
5.2 Any report of a contravention of the Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed by MJr, who may engage independent Child Protection consultants to ensure that an appropriate course of action is taken.
5.3 Any incident reported to MJr shall be reviewed as soon as possible to ensure a timely resolution.
5.4 If a report concerns minor breach of the Safeguarding Policy, MJr can make a decision as to appropriate action which may include barring the reported person from using MJr.
5.5 If a report is received by MJr which concerns the immediate safety of a student or any illegal activity during a session, they will be required to contact UK police and report the incident.