Safeguarding Statement

Last updated: April 1, 2025

  1. Our Commitment to Safety

TeachForge.ai is committed to providing a safe and secure online environment for all users, with particular attention to the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable adults. This Safeguarding Statement outlines our approach to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all users on our platform.

We recognize our responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. We are committed to ensuring our practices protect them from harm.

  1. Legal Framework and Compliance

Our safeguarding policies and procedures comply with all relevant UK legislation and guidance, including but not limited to:

  • The Children Act 1989 and 2004
  • The Education Act 2002
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (current version)
  • The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • The Children and Families Act 2014
  • The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (including the Prevent Duty)
  • UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
  • Online Safety Act 2023
  • Relevant guidance from the Department for Education and the National Cyber Security Centre

  1. Key Safeguarding Principles

Our approach to safeguarding is guided by the following principles:

  • The welfare of children and vulnerable adults is paramount
  • All users, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation, or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • Working in partnership with users, parents, guardians, educators, and support organizations is essential in promoting welfare
  • A proactive and preventative approach to safety is more effective than reactive measures
  • All staff and tutors have a responsibility to report concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult
  • All concerns and allegations will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately

  1. Safeguarding Measures

4.1 Tutor Verification and Screening

All tutors on our platform must undergo:

  • Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
  • Verification of identity and qualifications
  • Comprehensive reference checks
  • Regular re-verification of credentials
  • Training in safeguarding practices

4.2 Platform Safety Features

We have implemented various technical measures to ensure safety:

  • Secure, monitored communication channels
  • Recording capabilities for all tutoring sessions (with appropriate consents)
  • Parental controls and visibility options
  • Automated content filtering to prevent inappropriate material
  • Reporting mechanisms accessible in all areas of the platform
  • Age-appropriate content restrictions
  • Two-factor authentication for account security

4.3 Supervision and Monitoring

  • All communications between tutors and students take place within our monitored platform
  • Direct contact outside the platform is prohibited
  • Parents/guardians of users under 18 have access to session recordings and communications
  • Regular audits of interactions are conducted using both automated and human review
  • AI-powered monitoring tools help identify potential safeguarding concerns

  1. Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities

5.1 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

TeachForge.ai has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead who is responsible for:

  • Overseeing the implementation of safeguarding policies
  • Responding to safeguarding concerns and incidents
  • Liaising with external agencies when necessary
  • Providing guidance to staff and tutors on safeguarding matters
  • Ensuring regular review and updating of safeguarding procedures

5.2 Staff and Tutor Responsibilities

All staff members and tutors are required to:

  • Complete mandatory safeguarding training before accessing the platform
  • Undergo regular refresher training
  • Adhere to our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy
  • Report any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult immediately
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times
  • Participate in safeguarding reviews and updates

5.3 User Responsibilities

We encourage all users to:

  • Report any concerns about safety or inappropriate behavior
  • Familiarize themselves with our safety guidelines
  • For younger users, involve parents/guardians in their online learning journey
  • Use the platform's safety features and reporting tools

  1. Reporting Concerns

6.1 How to Report

If you have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or vulnerable adult:

  • Use the "Report Concern" button available on all pages of our platform
  • Email our safeguarding team at [email protected]
  • Call our dedicated safeguarding line at +44 1245 261144
  • In emergencies, contact the appropriate emergency services directly

6.2 Response to Reports

When a safeguarding concern is reported:

  • All reports are treated confidentially and taken seriously
  • Our DSL will acknowledge receipt within 24 hours
  • A preliminary assessment will be conducted to determine the appropriate response
  • Where necessary, relevant external agencies will be informed
  • Appropriate action will be taken to protect the individual(s) concerned
  • The person reporting will receive appropriate feedback within data protection constraints

  1. Specific Safeguarding Protocols

7.1 Online Grooming Prevention

We have specific measures to prevent and detect grooming behavior:

  • Monitoring of communication patterns
  • Restrictions on private messaging
  • Regular review of user interactions
  • Staff training on recognizing signs of grooming

7.2 Cyberbullying Response

Our approach to preventing and addressing cyberbullying includes:

  • Clear anti-bullying guidelines
  • Proactive monitoring of communications
  • Swift intervention when bullying is detected
  • Support for those experiencing bullying
  • Educational resources about responsible online behavior

7.3 Prevent Duty Compliance

In accordance with the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, we:

  • Train staff to identify signs of radicalization
  • Have clear reporting procedures for concerns
  • Promote fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect
  • Foster critical thinking skills to help users question extremist narratives

7.4 Mental Health Support

We recognize the connection between safeguarding and mental health:

  • Tutors are trained to recognize signs of mental health concerns
  • We provide resources and signposting to appropriate support services
  • Our platform is designed to support wellbeing and reduce academic pressure

  1. Training and Professional Development

To ensure the highest standards of safeguarding:

  • All staff and tutors receive baseline safeguarding training before accessing the platform
  • Regular updates and refresher training are mandatory
  • Specialized training is provided for those with specific safeguarding responsibilities
  • Best practice guidance is regularly updated and communicated
  • External expertise is sought to review and improve our practices

  1. Review and Continuous Improvement

Our safeguarding practices are not static but evolve in response to:

  • Changes in legislation and official guidance
  • Emerging online risks and threats
  • Feedback from users, parents, and tutors
  • Learning from incidents and near misses
  • Regular internal and external audits
  • Developments in online safety technology

We conduct formal reviews of our safeguarding policies and procedures at least annually, with more frequent updates if required by changes in legislation or best practice guidance.

  1. Additional Resources

We provide a range of resources to support safe online learning:

  • Safety Guides: Age-appropriate guides for students, parents, and tutors
  • Educational Materials: Resources about online safety, digital citizenship, and responsible internet use
  • Support Directory: Contact information for external support organizations and helplines
  • FAQ Section: Answers to common safeguarding questions and scenarios
  • Safety Blog: Regular updates on emerging online safety issues and best practices

These resources are accessible from our website's Safety Hub and are regularly updated to reflect current best practices and emerging risks.

  1. Online Session Safety Guidelines

11.1 Session Rules

All tutoring sessions on TeachForge.ai must adhere to these guidelines:

  • Sessions must take place exclusively on our platform
  • Video cameras should be on when required by the session type
  • Appropriate dress and surroundings are required for video sessions
  • Sessions should take place in suitable environments (not bedrooms)
  • Recording notifications are clearly displayed when a session is being recorded
  • Parents/guardians should be nearby for sessions involving users under 16

11.2 Content Guidelines

All educational content and interactions must:

  • Be age-appropriate and relevant to the learning objectives
  • Avoid personal topics unrelated to the educational purpose
  • Respect boundaries and cultural sensitivities
  • Exclude discriminatory, offensive, or inappropriate material
  • Support inclusive and respectful learning environments

  1. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

We recognize that users with SEND may:

  • Have specific safeguarding vulnerabilities
  • Require adapted communication approaches
  • Need additional support to understand safety procedures

Our safeguarding approach is inclusive by design:

  • Tutors receive SEND awareness training
  • Platform features are designed with accessibility in mind
  • Additional monitoring may be implemented with consent
  • Personalized safety plans can be developed when needed

  1. Data Protection and Privacy

Our safeguarding measures operate in accordance with data protection principles:

  • Monitoring is proportionate and transparent
  • Data collected for safeguarding purposes is handled securely
  • Retention periods for safeguarding data are clearly defined
  • Information sharing is limited to legitimate safeguarding needs
  • Users and parents are informed about how their data is used

Further details can be found in our Privacy Policy.

  1. Code of Conduct for Online Tutoring

All tutors must adhere to our professional Code of Conduct, which includes:

14.1 Professional Boundaries

  • Maintaining appropriate educational relationships
  • Using formal, professional language at all times
  • Avoiding personal topics or sharing personal contact details
  • Never arranging to meet students outside the platform
  • Declining connections on personal social media

14.2 Educational Standards

  • Delivering high-quality, curriculum-relevant content
  • Supporting academic integrity and discouraging plagiarism
  • Providing constructive, appropriate feedback
  • Respecting confidentiality within safeguarding limits
  • Maintaining accurate records of sessions

14.3 Ethical Responsibilities

  • Reporting any safeguarding concerns immediately
  • Never promising confidentiality to students
  • Maintaining professional appearance and environment
  • Using appropriate teaching methods and resources
  • Following all platform policies and procedures

  1. International Students

For users accessing our platform from outside the UK:

  • UK safeguarding standards are applied as our minimum baseline
  • Additional country-specific requirements are incorporated where applicable
  • Time zone differences are considered in monitoring arrangements
  • Cultural sensitivity is maintained while upholding core safeguarding principles
  • International reporting pathways are established for emergency situations

  1. Safeguarding During Technical Issues

In the event of platform technical issues:

  • Clear protocols exist for safely ending compromised sessions
  • Backup reporting mechanisms are available
  • Alternative communication channels are specified for emergencies only
  • Regular testing of contingency plans is conducted
  • Technical support with safeguarding training is available during all operating hours

  1. Whistle-blowing Policy

TeachForge.ai maintains a robust whistle-blowing policy to ensure:

  • Staff and tutors can confidentially report safeguarding concerns about colleagues
  • Protection from retaliation for those making good-faith reports
  • Thorough investigation of all whistle-blowing reports
  • Appropriate action when concerns are substantiated
  • Reporting to regulatory bodies when required

  1. Working with External Agencies

We are committed to effective multi-agency working:

  • Clear information sharing protocols with relevant authorities
  • Prompt referrals to Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships when appropriate
  • Cooperation with law enforcement for serious concerns
  • Engagement with educational and safeguarding networks
  • Regular review of our external agency relationships

  1. Annual Safeguarding Audit

Our comprehensive annual safeguarding audit includes:

  • Review of all policies and procedures
  • Analysis of safeguarding incidents and outcomes
  • Evaluation of training effectiveness
  • Assessment of technical safeguarding measures
  • Feedback from users, parents, and tutors
  • External expert consultation
  • Publication of anonymized key findings to users

  1. Contact Information

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: +44 12454 261144
  • Hours: Available 7 days a week, 9am-10pm UK time

  1. Commitment to Improvement

TeachForge.ai recognizes that safeguarding in online education is an evolving field. We commit to:

  • Staying informed about emerging risks and best practices
  • Incorporating feedback from all stakeholders
  • Investing in advanced safety technologies
  • Participating in relevant research and industry forums
  • Continuously evaluating and enhancing our safeguarding measures

This Safeguarding Statement is reviewed and updated at least annually, with the last review conducted on 1/04/2025