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Safeguarding Policy

UpMyGrade Tutoring Last updated: July 2026 - Next review due: July 2027

1. Our Commitment

UpMyGrade is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of every child and young person who uses our platform. We believe that all children, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability or background, have the right to be protected from harm.

This policy applies to all UpMyGrade tutors, staff and anyone acting on behalf of UpMyGrade. Compliance with this policy is mandatory.

2. Scope

This policy covers all tutoring activity delivered through the UpMyGrade platform, including:

  • Online one-to-one lessons delivered via Discord

  • Communication between tutors, students and parents through UpMyGrade's platforms

  • Use of the UMG revision portal (upmygrade.org)

For the purposes of this policy, a "child" or "young person" is anyone under the age of 18.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

UpMyGrade has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for implementing this policy, managing any safeguarding concerns and liaising with external agencies where required.

Designated Safeguarding Lead: James — Founder, UpMyGrade Email: info@upmygrade.co.uk Phone: 07469185568

Any safeguarding concern should be reported to the DSL immediately. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, always call 999 first.

4. Tutor Vetting and Standards

Before any tutor is permitted to work with students on the UpMyGrade platform:

  • DBS check: All tutors must have a current Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before working with students. Copies are retained by UpMyGrade

  • Interview: All tutors complete an interview with a member of the UpMyGrade team, during which safeguarding expectations are discussed

  • Ongoing monitoring: UpMyGrade reserves the right to remove any tutor from the platform if a safeguarding concern arises or their conduct is deemed inappropriate

  • Tutors are self-employed contractors and are responsible for maintaining their own DBS status in line with UpMyGrade's requirements.

5. Online Safety

All lessons take place online via Discord. The following measures are in place to protect students:

  • Lessons are one-to-one between the tutor and student. No lesson should involve third parties unless prior written consent has been obtained from the parent or guardian

  • Tutors must not contact students via personal social media, personal email addresses or personal phone numbers

  • All communication between tutors and students must take place through UpMyGrade's designated platforms

  • Screen sharing during lessons is used for academic purposes only

  • Tutors must not request or store personal photographs or images of students

6. Session Recording and Monitoring

  • Sessions are not routinely recorded by UpMyGrade

  • Neither tutors nor students are permitted to record sessions without the prior written consent of all parties and UpMyGrade

  • Parents who wish to observe a session should inform UpMyGrade in advance. Ad hoc observation is permitted provided the tutor is aware

7. Appropriate Communication

All communication between tutors and students must be:

  • Professional in tone at all times

  • Relevant to the academic subject being tutored

  • Conducted through UpMyGrade's platform — not through personal channels

Tutors must not:

  • Engage in personal or social conversation beyond what is reasonably appropriate in a professional educational context

  • Initiate contact with students outside of scheduled lesson times except through the UpMyGrade platform for lesson-related purposes

8. Recognising a Concern

All UpMyGrade tutors are expected to be alert to signs that a child may be experiencing harm or abuse. This may include:

  • Unexplained changes in behaviour, mood or attendance

  • Disclosures made by the student during or around a session

  • Physical signs observed during a video lesson

  • Concerning content shared via the platform

Tutors are not expected to investigate concerns themselves, but are required to report them promptly.

9. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If a tutor, parent or any other person has a safeguarding concern, the following steps should be taken:

Step 1: Do not attempt to investigate the concern yourself or discuss it with anyone other than the DSL.

Step 2: Contact the UpMyGrade Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately:

Step 3: Record what you observed or were told, using the child's exact words where a disclosure was made. Do not add your own interpretation.

Step 4: The DSL will assess the concern and, where appropriate, refer it to the relevant local authority children's services or the police.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 without delay.

Other useful contacts:

  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7)

  • Childline (for young people): 0800 1111 (free, 24/7)

  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): Contact your local council if a concern involves a person in a position of trust

10. Supporting Students Who Disclose

If a student makes a disclosure of abuse or harm during a lesson:

  • Stay calm and listen carefully

  • Reassure the student that they have done the right thing by telling you

  • Do not promise confidentiality — explain that you may need to share what they have told you with someone who can help

  • Do not ask leading questions or probe for further detail

  • End the session sensitively and contact the DSL as soon as possible

11. Working With Parents

UpMyGrade is committed to working openly and transparently with parents and guardians:

  • Parents will be informed of any safeguarding concern that relates to their child, unless doing so would put the child at further risk

  • Parents are encouraged to raise any concerns about their child's wellbeing or about a tutor's conduct directly with the DSL

  • Where a concern involves the parent or guardian, UpMyGrade will follow the appropriate statutory reporting process

12. Confidentiality

Safeguarding information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis. All those involved in a safeguarding concern are expected to maintain confidentiality, with the exception of sharing information with statutory agencies where required by law.

Confidentiality will never be used as a reason to prevent the disclosure of a safeguarding concern.

13. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead or following any significant safeguarding incident, change in legislation or guidance.

Next review date: July 2027

14. Related Policies

This Safeguarding Policy should be read alongside:

  • UpMyGrade Privacy Policy 

  • UpMyGrade Terms & Conditions

15. Contact

Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Email: info@upmygrade.co.uk 

Phone: 07469185568

UpMyGrade Tutoring, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, United Kingdom

If you have a concern about a child's immediate safety, always call 999 first.

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