Private tutoring
This One Minute Guide has been written has been written to support parents in understanding the potential risks associated with ‘private tutoring.’
What is private tutoring’?
Private tutoring in the UK involves one-on-one or small group instruction tailored to a childchild’s individual learning needs, often focusing on academic improvement or exam preparation. It covers a range of subjects and levels, from primary school to university, including key exams like the 11+, GCSEs, A-levels, and university admissions tests. Tutors are often experienced teachers, subject specialists, or professionals but this is not always the case. Sessions are usually conducted in-person or online. Tutors are often sourced through agencies or hired independently for flexible and personalised learning support.
However, there has been growing concern surrounding the regulation of private tutors and the safeguarding challenge this presents.
Why is there a One Minute Guide for private tutoring?
A recent BBC investigation highlighted concerns over a legal loophole in the UK that allows convicted sex offenders to work as private tutors without mandatory background checks. Over 90 tutors have been convicted of child sexual abuse in the last two decades. Unlike schoolteachers, private tutors aren’t legally required to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Calls for reform, led by the Children’s Commissioner, are pushing for mandatory checks for all tutors to protect children from potential harm.
What are the specific safeguarding concerns linked to private tutoring?
Lack of regulation: Unlike schools, private tutors may not be subject to the same rigorous background checks or child protection policies. You You should ensure tutors have undergone DBS checks (UK) or equivalent criminal background screenings, however this is not a regulated requirement.
One-on-one settings: one-on-one settings present a higher risk environment for possible abuse to occur.
Online tutoring risks: virtual lessons may expose children to online safety threats like privacy breaches or inappropriate content.
Unsuitable environments: sessions at home or other informal locations may pose risks if there’s inadequate adult supervision.
Emotional and psychological abuse: tutors may exert undue pressure, leading to stress or low self -esteem in children. Many tutors are not quality assured or performance managed.
Reporting mechanisms: there are no clear pathways for private tutors to record safeguarding concerns and many will not have adequate policy and procedure to support child protection protocol in the same way an education setting would.
Online tutoring
The internet, despite its drawbacks, has connected the world and enabled tutoring to thrive online. Language tutors, for example, can now be easily found from countries where those languages are spoken. PhD candidates are also accessible for e-learning, and overall, personal tutoring has become more convenient and higher in quality. The COVID-19 pandemic helped shape a more advanced tutoring industry, leading to the rise of specialised companies, open forums, and platforms. During this time, online learning became widely accepted, with webcam-based tutoring becoming a common sight in children’s homes. However, this shift has also introduced new security risks that didn’t exist before. To address these concerns, the London Grid for Learning (LGfL) has issued guidance. For more details, click here.
What can be done to make private tutoring safer?
While we await legislation to support making private tutoring safer for our young people, here are a range of measures that that can be implemented to protect childrenchildren, ensure tutor accountability, and create a transparent tutoring environment:
Background checks and screening: Ensure you you request Enhanced DBS checks for tutors, along with ID, qualification, and reference verification to ensure they are qualified and safe to work with children.
Regulation and accreditation: Select tutors who have formal accreditation and consider Ofsted regulation or work for an Ofsted registered provider to ensure adherence to quality, professionalism, and safety standards.
Code of conduct and safeguarding training: Ask to see clear policy and protocol surrounding staff conduct and safeguarding.
Parental involvement and transparency: Consider sitting in during sessions, whether in-person or online, and ask tutors if they offer options like lesson recording for increased transparency.
Online safety and monitoring: Promote the use of secure online platforms with encrypted communication, privacy settings, and digital literacy education to ensure online safety for both tutors and children.
Clear contracts and terms: Ask for a formal agreement between the tutor and yourself outlining expectations, fees, and conduct policies, and ensure payment processes are transparent and secure.
By addressing these key areas, we can support children children receiving private tutoring to ensure that they remain safe and not vulnerable to possible harm.
How to respond to a safeguarding concern about a private tutor?
Devon Children’s Front Door
The Devon Front Door incorporates our Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which is Children’s Services first point of contact and the start of the child and family’s social care journey. The Front Door receives all the requests for early help and safeguarding from people who are worried and concerned for children. These requests can come from professionals, such as the Police, Education and Health, but also members of the public, family members and young people themselves.
Our job at the Front Door is to identify, assess and make safe at the earliest opportunity all vulnerable children and families in our communities. We do this through the sharing of information and intelligence across the safeguarding partnership, such as health, education, Police, and probation, to name but a few. This supports us to make an informed decisions about how best to progress and support our vulnerable children and families.
If you are worried about the safety of a child in Devon and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child worried about your own safety, please contact our team on 0345 155 1071. 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 388428. Their lines are open Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-3pm. You will still be required to complete an online form within the timescales.
If you need help outside of 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.
At the time of writing, the safeguarding concerns surrounding private tuition are being nationally considered.