Kidda Safeguarding & Online Safety Policy

1. Our Commitment

Kidda is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who participate in our services. We recognise our responsibility to create a safe, supportive, and respectful online learning environment for students of all ages.

Kidda provides online tuition which may include mixed-age group sessions. We take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, particularly students under the age of 18.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone involved in Kidda, including tutors, staff, contractors, and management.

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to:

All Kidda students, including those under 18 All tutors, staff, and contractors All online learning environments used by Kidda, including: Google Meet, WhatsApp group chats, any other approved communication or learning platforms

3. Parental Consent

Students under the age of 18 must have a Parental Consent Form completed by a parent or legal guardian before access to lessons or group chats is granted. By completing the consent form, the parent or guardian confirms they:

Understand that lessons are delivered online

Are aware that sessions may be mixed-age

Consent to the use of Google Meet recordings for safeguarding and quality purposes

Consent to their child being added to Kidda-managed WhatsApp group chats, where applicable

Have read and accepted Kidda’s safeguarding arrangements

4. Designated Safeguarding Responsibility

Kidda has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for:

Overseeing safeguarding practices

Receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns

Determining appropriate next steps, including escalation where required

All safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

5. Tutor Recruitment, Checks & Training

To support safeguarding:

Tutors are subject to appropriate recruitment checks DBS checks are obtained where required

Tutors receive safeguarding guidance and are required to operate in line with this policy

Tutors are expected to maintain professional boundaries at all times

6. Online Learning & Recording of Sessions

Google Meet Sessions

All lessons are delivered via approved platforms only

Sessions may be recorded for safeguarding, quality assurance, and training purposes

Recordings are stored securely and only accessed by authorised Kidda personnel

Recordings are not shared publicly

Camera & Behaviour Expectations

Tutors monitor behaviour during sessions

Inappropriate behaviour, language, or conduct is not permitted

Tutors may remove participants from a session if safeguarding or welfare concerns arise

7. WhatsApp Group Chats

Kidda may use WhatsApp group chats to:

Share updates

Provide learning support

Facilitate community interaction

Safeguarding measures include:

Group chats are managed and moderated by Kidda Tutors and staff avoid engaging in private 1:1 messaging with students under 18

Students are discouraged from private messaging other participants

Inappropriate messages or behaviour will result in removal from the group and further action if required

Parents or guardians acknowledge that WhatsApp is a third-party platform and consent to its use as part of Kidda’s service.

8. Mixed-Age Sessions

Where sessions include students of differing ages:

Tutors actively manage discussions and participation

Behaviour expectations apply equally to all participants

Any conduct that may compromise the safety or comfort of younger participants is addressed immediately

Kidda reserves the right to move students between sessions or remove access where safeguarding concerns arise.

9. Code of Conduct & Professional Boundaries

Tutors and staff must:

Maintain professional, respectful communication at all times

Avoid any private or informal contact with students under 18

Use only approved platforms for communication

Never request or share personal contact details with students

10. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include:

Inappropriate behaviour or language

Online bullying or harassment

Boundary breaches

Welfare concerns disclosed by a student

All concerns must be reported immediately to Kidda’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will:

Assess the situation

Take appropriate action

Escalate concerns to relevant authorities where necessary to protect a child or young person

11. Removal and Escalation

Kidda reserves the right to:

Remove any participant from lessons or group chats

Suspend or terminate access where safeguarding concerns exist

Share relevant information with safeguarding bodies or authorities where legally required to protect welfare

12. Policy Review

This safeguarding policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate, effective, and aligned with best practice for online education.