Safeguarding Policy

We are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone. This policy explains our procedures to protect vulnerable individuals and maintain safeguarding standards.

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Safeguarding Policy

Last Updated: 20th October 2025

Introduction

At StudyVista Education Limited (“we”, “our”, “us”), we are fully committed to promoting the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of all students, tutors, and staff.
This policy sets out our safeguarding principles, responsibilities, and reporting procedures to protect children and vulnerable individuals within online learning environments.

This policy applies to:

All tutors, staff, and contractors engaged with StudyVista Education
Students and parents/guardians using our services
Visitors and users of the StudyVista Education platform

Our safeguarding practices comply with the following UK legislation and statutory guidance:

Children Act 1989 & 2004
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

Safeguarding Principles

We are guided by these core principles:

The welfare of the child is paramount.
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, or identity, have the right to protection from harm.
All staff and tutors share responsibility for recognising and reporting concerns about abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Confidentiality is respected, but safeguarding concerns must always be shared with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Roles and Responsibilities

A. Management

Ensure that all tutors and staff receive appropriate safeguarding and online safety training.
Conduct enhanced DBS checks and verify the identity and qualifications of all tutors.
Monitor compliance with this policy and act promptly on any concerns.

B. Tutors and Staff

Report all safeguarding concerns immediately to the DSL.
Maintain professional boundaries and conduct all lessons in a safe and appropriate manner.
Adhere to the Tutor Code of Conduct and Online Safety Guidelines at all times.

C. Parents and Guardians

Supervise students under the age of 18 during online sessions wherever possible.
Report any concerns about student safety or inappropriate conduct to StudyVista Education.

Recognising Abuse

Abuse can take many forms, including:

Physical abuse – hitting, shaking, or causing physical harm.
Emotional abuse – bullying, humiliation, intimidation, or manipulation.
Sexual abuse – inappropriate sexual behaviour, grooming, or exploitation.
Neglect – failure to provide adequate care or supervision.
Online abuse – cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, or online grooming.

Signs may include sudden changes in behaviour, withdrawal, distress during lessons, or unexplained injuries.

Reporting Concerns

All safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Name: Neal Connor
Email: info@studyvista.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)330 133 1695

The DSL will:

Record and assess the concern in line with statutory requirements.
Escalate the matter to the appropriate authority (e.g., local safeguarding board, police, or social services) if necessary.
Maintain confidential and secure records of all safeguarding incidents.

Tutors and staff must not attempt to investigate suspected abuse themselves.

Online Safety and Conduct

To ensure a safe online learning environment:

All lessons must be delivered through approved and secure platforms only.
Tutors must ensure parental supervision for students under 18.
Students should be referred to by first names only in group sessions.
Private communication (e.g., personal messaging or social media contact) between tutors and students is strictly prohibited.
Recording of lessons is permitted only with prior written consent and for safeguarding or training purposes.
Tutors must ensure that their devices, accounts, and data are protected by strong passwords and not shared.

Safeguarding and Online Safety Training

All tutors and staff must complete safeguarding and online safety training prior to delivering lessons.
Refresher training will be provided annually or as required by changes in legislation.

Safeguarding Checks & Review

StudyVista will verify DBS status via the DBS Update Service (with tutor consent) and will record the date and result of each check. A copy of the DBS certificate and Update Service status will be held securely and reviewed annually.

Periodic Safeguarding Checks of Tutors

StudyVista Education Limited conducts periodic safeguarding checks on all tutors at least once every 12 months to ensure continued compliance with safeguarding requirements and statutory guidance.

These checks may include:

Verification of Enhanced DBS status (including checks via the DBS Update Service, where consent has been provided)
Confirmation that safeguarding documentation remains valid and up to date
Review of safeguarding training completion and refresher requirements
Re-verification of identity where required

Tutors are required to cooperate with these periodic checks as part of their ongoing engagement with StudyVista Education Limited. Where consent is required to conduct checks (including DBS Update Service status checks), such consent will be requested directly.

Failure to complete required safeguarding checks may result in temporary suspension of tutoring activity until compliance is confirmed.

All records relating to periodic safeguarding checks are stored securely and handled in accordance with data protection legislation.

Allegations or Concerns About Tutors

Any allegation against a tutor or staff member must be reported immediately to the DSL.
StudyVista Education Limited will follow statutory guidance and may suspend the individual while an investigation is conducted.
Serious cases will be reported to relevant authorities such as the DBS, police, or local safeguarding board.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

All safeguarding records are treated as strictly confidential and stored securely.
Access is limited to authorised safeguarding personnel only.
Data is handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, and StudyVista’s Data Retention Policy.

Communication Policy

Tutors must communicate with students professionally and respectfully at all times.
Communication outside of lessons is permitted only via approved channels (StudyVista platform messaging or official email).
Personal contact via social media, phone, or private messaging apps is strictly prohibited.

Review and Policy Updates

This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation or best practice guidance changes.
All tutors, staff, and stakeholders will be notified when updates occur.

Key Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Name: Neal Connor
Email: info@studyvista.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)330 133 1695

External Support Contacts:

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
ChildLine: 0800 1111

Policy Statement

StudyVista Education Limited believes that every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment. We are committed to preventing abuse, protecting children, and promoting their welfare in every aspect of our online education services.