Tutor code of conductTutor Code of Conduct

All adults coming into contact with children and young people through Teach Wessex Ltd.’s activities must comply with this Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

This code outlines the conduct that Teach Wessex Ltd expects from all self-employed subcontracted tutors and anyone who is undertaking duties for the organisation, whether paid or unpaid.

Teach Wessex Ltd is responsible for making sure everyone taking part in our activities has seen, understood and agreed to the following code of conduct and understands the consequences of inappropriate conduct.

We expect people who take part in our services to always display appropriate conduct.

Tutor responsibilities

I agree to adhere to the core principles outlined below: 

  • Tutors will conduct online tuition in an appropriate, quiet setting, which is not distracting e.g. no background noise, no personal photos and a clear office space.
  • To ensure the safeguarding, welfare and safety of students by following the Teach Wessex Child protection and Safeguarding policy, by flagging any safeguarding issues to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
  • To be on time for each scheduled session, ideally ready and waiting for students to arrive 5 minutes before the start time.
  • To use appropriate language and tone in all interactions, always ensuring that all conversation is professional, warm and friendly.
  • To prepare fun and engaging sessions that are tailored to meet the student’s needs and in accordance with the curriculum of study and or relevant exam syllabus.
  • To ensure that suitable technology is available – including a strong internet connection and the ability to use the teaching features in zoom (e.g. screen sharing, use of whiteboard & annotation of documents).
  • To listen and respect children and young people at all times.
  • To value and take children’s contributions seriously, actively involving them in planning activities, where possible.
  • To share Teach Wessex Ltd.’s dedicated email address (contact@teachwessex.co.uk) and phone number (07584 101322) to parents for any queries/concerns, never give your personal contact details.
  • To be aware that social networking sites are in the public domain if not protected by privacy settings. Strongly consider strengthening any privacy settings so that children and young people are not able to access your online profiles and be privy to any information you would not want in the public domain.
  • To block any young people that approach you online and inform Teach Wessex Ltd.’s Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately.
  • To remember you are in a position of trust and must always act in a professional manner when interacting with children and young people, parents, carers and members of Teach Wessex.
  • To challenge inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, reporting any breaches of the code of conduct to Katie at contact@teachwessex.co.uk.
  • To recognise that special caution is required when discussing sensitive issues with young people. If you need to break confidentiality to follow child protection procedure, it’s important to explain this to the child/young person at the earliest opportunity.

Unacceptable behaviour

When working with children and young people you must not:

  • Allow concerns or allegations to go unreported.
  • Promise confidentiality to children and young people in any situation.
  • Seek out or add young people on any social networking site.
  • Develop inappropriate relationships with children and young people.
  • Make inappropriate promises to children and young people.
  • Engage in behaviour that can be perceived as threatening or abusive.
  • Patronise or belittle children or young people.
  • Make a sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory or sexually suggestive comment or gesture to or in front of a child or young person.
  • Respond to any online communication from a young person, for example on social networking sites.
  • Share any personal contact details including email address, telephone number or address with children and young people or seek out their personal contact details or have contact with them via a personal social media account.
  • Arrange to meet a young person outside of the scheduled tutoring session time.
  • Have inappropriate physical contact or verbal contact with young people.
  • Smoke, consume alcohol or use illegal substances.
  • Take photographs or screenshots of children or young people during the session.

Upholding the code

You should always follow this code of behaviour and never rely on your reputation or that of Teach Wessex to protect you.

Failure to adhere to the code of conduct will be subject to our disciplinary procedures. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, your association with Teach Wessex may be terminated. We may also report to statutory agencies such as the police and / or the local authority child protections services.  If you become aware of any breaches of this code, you must report them to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.