At TutorBunch, the safety of Users is our primary concern, especially those who are 13–18 years old, and Users who are young adults. It is our intention to ensure that anyone providing or receiving services arranged through the Website does so in a way which protects the safety of all those involved, particularly children and young adults.
We are dedicated to ensuring that all children are safe, able to thrive and achieve. We believe that all children have a right to be safe from harm, abuse (online, physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, grooming), and exploitation. We recognise that the welfare of the child is paramount and recognise our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people — always working in the best interests of the child. We recognise our legal duty to work with other agencies in safeguarding children and protecting them from harm, and believe that achieving this requires coordinated efforts from families, communities, organisations, and governments through laws, policies (Children Act 1989 & Children Act 2004), and consistent practices to identify risks and intervene effectively. We prioritise safeguarding of well-being and promote development.
To maintain and improve the quality of experience, and especially safety, our content and Website is frequently reviewed and monitored by human Administrators and Moderators who supervise message exchanges, so children can be kept safe. We frown upon communications taking place between Users outside of the TutorBunch environment. Such violation results in immediate removal from the Website, with the account of such User deleted. Depending on what is communicated outside of the Website, we may also refer the offence to the Police.
As safeguarding of children is everyone’s business, Users can report inappropriate content or behaviours via the Chat or can email office@tutorbunch.com. Students and parents can also instantly flag a tutor or report uncomfortable behaviour using the “Report Concern” button on their student dashboard. We also include links to key child protection agencies, organisations and related resources below.
Parental Involvement
If a young person is 16 years and under, then a parent/responsible adult MUST be actively involved in their daily use of the Website.
- All school-age users MUST add a parent/responsible adult’s email address to their user profile. This means that all communication, messaging and booking information from the site and other users will be sent to them.
- We expect that a parent/responsible adult is involved in any meetings.
Verification
We verify all Users as part of our Safety First protocol.
- All new members need to sign up and pass validation checks before they can interact on TutorBunch.
- We ask Users to create a profile giving information about skills and experience or any other relevant additional information.
- We also use various methods of automated verification which verify/validate personal details and check background information.
- Users of the site should be aware there is no foolproof way to verify people online; however, we have taken extra steps in our commitment to ensuring user safety.
Privacy
Confidentiality of User information is important to us.
- We ensure that Users do not share personal contact details but instead use the special features of the Website, such as our online private messaging facility, to communicate safely. This helps our Administrators and Moderators keep track of information being exchanged between Users, ensuring transparency and safety for all Users, especially young Users.
- Upon creating a User profile, the information within can be edited, giving you control over what information you choose to share. Personal information such as address and phone number are NOT to be shared.
- Our Privacy Policy spells out in detail how we deal with personal data.
Safe Onboarding
Before connecting with other Users on the Website, all young people who sign up to TutorBunch are required to attend an Onboarding training session.
Our set Onboarding protocol ensures a safe and trusting online environment for all Users.
- We provide advice and guidance on acceptable manners of engagement, communication and behaviours.
- Please be aware that TutorBunch is a platform which connects people, with the expectation that those connected continue to communicate via the TutorBunch Website. We are therefore not responsible for the actions that people take if connections take place off the Website.
Resources
Keeping children safe requires immediate and decisive action. If a child is in immediate danger, dial 999 for the police. If there are safeguarding concerns, you must share your information to protect the child.
Useful numbers:
- If a child is in immediate danger, please dial 999 and speak to the Police.
- Childline (0800 11 11) — a free counselling service for under 19s.
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk — speak to child protection specialists.
Links:
TutorBunch’s designated Child Protection Officer can be reached at office@tutorbunch.com.
