Last Updated: 01.06.26

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Family Education Coaching ("the Coach", "I", "me") is committed to protecting and safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people who access our consultancy, coaching, and tutoring services.

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As a professional educational consultancy operated by a highly experienced, qualified teacher, I recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that the welfare of the child is paramount. This policy operates in accordance with the statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the Working Together to Safeguard Children framework.

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1. Purpose and Scope of this Statement

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The purpose of this policy statement is:

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• To protect children and young people who receive services from Family Education Coaching from harm.

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• Extended Scope: This protection extends to all children of adults who employ our services, ensuring a duty of care to any siblings or other children present in the home environment during service delivery.

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• To provide parents, carers, and external professionals with the overarching principles that guide my approach to child protection and safeguarding.

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2. Core Principles & Professional Standards

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To ensure a safe environment for every child, Family Education Coaching adheres to the following strict practices:

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• Enhanced DBS Cleared: I maintain an up-to-date, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, which is available for verification by clients upon request.

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• Continuous Safeguarding Training: I undertake annual, verified Child Protection and Safeguarding training with leading national bodies, including the NSPCC, to keep pace with legal requirements, digital safety protocols, and national frameworks.

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• Safe In-Person Environments: For face-to-face coaching or tutoring sessions delivered in the family home, a parent or designated adult guardian must remain on the premises for the entire duration of the session. I do not offer unchaperoned or isolated 1:1 sessions behind closed doors.

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• Digital & Online Safety: For virtual sessions, meetings will only be conducted via secure, password-protected platforms. Sessions must be accessed from a communal or shared family space (not a child's bedroom), and parents are encouraged to monitor online contact. Written permission will always be obtained before any images of children or their work are utilised.

 

3. Recognising and Reporting Concerns

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As an educational professional, I am trained to recognise indicators of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, exploitation, and peer-on-peer bullying.

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• The Right to Confidentiality: I respect the privacy of every family and keep all session discussions strictly confidential.

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• The Exception to Confidentiality: In line with UK safeguarding legislation, confidentiality will be immediately breached if I have reason to believe that a child, young person, or vulnerable adult is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, significant harm.

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• Duty to Refer: If a safeguarding concern or disclosure arises during a session, I have a statutory duty of care to report this directly to the relevant local authority Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or Children's Social Care team, and, where appropriate, emergency services.

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• Working with Schools: Where a child is facing challenges that intersect with their school environment (such as special educational needs, disabilities, or behavioural barriers), and with explicit parental consent, I will collaborate or share relevant strategic information with the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and/or the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to ensure a unified approach to the child's well-being.

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4. Direct Disclosures by a Child

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If a child makes a direct disclosure of abuse or harm to me during a coaching or tutoring session, I am trained to:

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• Listen calmly, actively, and with total respect.

• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up.

• Never promise absolute secrecy, explaining gently that I must tell someone who can help keep them safe.

• Accurately record the child’s disclosure using their exact words, including the time, date, and setting, and immediately initiate a professional referral to the appropriate local authorities.

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5. Independent Complaints & Whistleblowing

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Family Education Coaching operates with absolute transparency. If a parent or carer has a concern or complaint regarding my professional conduct, implementation of this policy, or handles a disclosure inappropriately, they have the right to bypass the business and escalate their concern directly to the local authority Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Devon Children's Social Care services.

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6. Contact and Review

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This policy is reviewed annually to ensure compliance with updated UK legislation and local safeguarding board guidelines.

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If you have any questions regarding this safeguarding statement or wish to discuss a specific family dynamic, please contact me directly at: 📧 familyeducationcoaching@outlook.com

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