Devon County Council has a duty under section 175 (1) of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This includes electively home-educated children. 

All agencies that meet electively home-educated children are required to consider whether children are being adequately safeguarded within those settings and, where appropriate, to notify other agencies of their concerns. 

Make a request for support or report a child safety concern 

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person in Devon, please use the online referral form. This form will go through to the safeguarding mailbox and be triaged by a team manager within the ‘front door’. 

However, if you deem the child to be at risk of significant harm you have an option to contact the front door directly on 01392 388 428. Their lines are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to 3pm. You will still be required to complete an online form within the timescales. 

If you need help outside these hours or at weekends or bank holidays, please call the Emergency Duty Service on 0345 6000 388. 

If a child is at immediate risk contact the police on 999. 

Checks to do before employing a private tutor or enrolling your child at an unregistered setting

If you choose to employ a private tutor it is your responsibility to ensure that this person has the right knowledge and skills to take on this role. 

Any tutor should also be able to demonstrate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and provide references if they are not known to the family. Details of DBS checks are available from the Home Office website. 

This private tutoring guide has been written to support parents in understanding the potential risks associated with private tutoring. 

If you use an unregistered setting, you are responsible for checking that appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place. 

You may wish to ask the provider about: 

• their complaints, child protection and safeguarding policies 
• who leads on safeguarding and first aid 
• whether you need to complete consent and emergency contact forms 
• how staff and volunteers are recruited and checked 
• whether other adults will be present 
• how internet access is supervised 
• how they support children with SEND or personal care needs 

The Department for Education provides more advice about using after-school clubs, tuition and community activities.