Atnda is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding. The safety and well-being of our users are our top priorities.
Our platform and related policies are designed to ensure that students and tutors can work together in a safe and secure environment.
Legislation
Our platform and coordinating policies have been developed to ensure full compliance with all relevant safeguarding legislation.
This safeguarding policy should be read in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions.
Aims of Policy
Atnda strives to offer the best possible service, creating a safe environment where students can learn effectively.
This policy is intended to safeguard all users of Atnda, including students, tutors, and any other participants, during their interactions with our website and during face-to-face lessons in local schools.
This policy outlines the responsibilities of all tutors. It is important that all tutors familiarize themselves with this policy and our Terms and Conditions.
In addition to this policy, users of Atnda, including students and tutors, must comply with all relevant legislation, government guidance, and the safeguarding policies of The Tutors' Association, whether or not they are members of the association.
If any user has a concern regarding child protection, they must contact Atnda immediately.
Violation of any terms within this policy may result in immediate suspension or permanent removal of access to our services.
Atnda’s Responsibilities
Atnda will determine when a tutor's profile is sufficiently complete to be published on the website and made accessible to users.
Atnda will make reasonable efforts to verify the identity of all tutors.
Atnda requires all tutors to have an enhanced background check before they can use the platform. Background checks must be conducted within the past three years to be accepted. We accept enhanced checks provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland, or Access Northern Ireland.
Atnda requires new tutors to provide two written references from non-relatives, in which the referees confirm they are not related and agree that their reference may be shared with students before their profile is made live on the website. Atnda is not responsible for the accuracy or content of these references.
Atnda ranks tutors on the website based on a combination of profile information, student ratings, and the number of lessons taught. Positive student ratings, prompt communication, repeat bookings, and a higher number of lessons contribute to a tutor’s ranking in our search engine results. Atnda reserves the right to change the ranking criteria at any time. This information is provided to help students find the most suitable tutor.
Atnda encourages students to leave reviews of the tutors with whom they have had lessons. “Review” refers to any feedback, comments, or ratings provided.
Atnda will take reasonable precautions to protect the information of both students and tutors.
Atnda will protect all data in accordance with relevant legislation and our Privacy Policy.
Atnda may monitor postings made on the website and messages exchanged between students and tutors. This is done to facilitate connections between students and tutors, prevent misuse of the website, and ensure the safety of all users.
Atnda will address reports of possible illegal activity promptly, prioritizing the safety and well-being of users. We will provide UK law enforcement with any relevant information if a criminal offense is suspected in relation to a specific lesson.
Atnda will endeavor to ensure that complaints are handled promptly and in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Atnda will regularly review this policy and our Terms and Conditions to ensure they are effective in safeguarding all users.
Student Responsibilities
Students must be at least 18 years old to book a tutor for themselves or another learner. Learners under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian who consents to their participation in lessons. Atnda is not responsible for any disputes regarding parental consent.
Students must ensure that their personal details and contact information are accurate and kept up to date.
Students must avoid inappropriate communication with tutors outside of the platform and report any unsolicited communications from tutors if necessary.
Students must use their own judgment to evaluate the accuracy of the information provided on the website. Atnda cannot guarantee that all content on the website is complete, accurate, or up to date.
Students should use their judgment regarding the services offered by tutors. While Atnda conducts certain checks to assess tutor suitability, students are responsible for verifying any claims made by tutors, such as identity, background checks, and qualifications, particularly before or during their first lesson.
Students are solely responsible for the material they or the learners they represent post on the website, including messages, and must not post defamatory, offensive, or illegal content.
Students must report any defamatory, offensive, or illegal material they encounter on the website to Atnda immediately.
Any student who is a parent or legal guardian of a learner under 18 should not leave the child in the sole care of the tutor. They must be available for the learner to report any inappropriate behavior or concerns.
Students must ensure that the physical environment for lessons is safe and appropriate.
Students must treat tutors with respect and ensure they are not subjected to abusive behavior or language.
Students must not make improper suggestions to tutors.
Students are responsible for their own security when using our services, both online and offline.
Students must report any complaints in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Students must immediately report any safeguarding concerns or illegal activity in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Tutor Responsibilities
Tutors are not employees of Atnda and are solely responsible for their actions both on and off the platform.
If tutors interact with students under 18, they must ensure that these students have a parent or legal guardian who consents to their participation in lessons.
Tutors may cancel lessons if no parent or legal guardian is present during a lesson with a learner under 18 and the tutor or learner feels uncomfortable continuing.
Tutors are responsible for ensuring that the personal information they provide and their personal statements on the website are accurate and not misleading. This information must be updated promptly to maintain accuracy.
Tutors are solely responsible for the material they or the learners they represent post on the website, including messages sent, and must not post defamatory, offensive, or illegal content.
Tutors must immediately report any defamatory, offensive, or illegal material they encounter on the website to Atnda.
Tutors must disclose any criminal convictions or cautions to Atnda, including any received after registering as a tutor and while remaining registered.
Tutors must disclose any other relevant information that may lead Atnda to determine they are not suitable to tutor.
Tutors must have a background check dated within the last three years to be eligible to tutor. This check must meet the requirements outlined in the Terms and Conditions.
Tutors must use their judgment to decide whether to offer their tuition services to each student.
Tutors must take all necessary precautions to ensure they work in a safe environment and are responsible for obtaining and maintaining their own insurance policies for the work they undertake.
Tutors must ensure their environment is free from inappropriate images or documents when conducting lessons.
Tutors must treat students fairly and without prejudice or discrimination, regardless of age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief, or sexual identity.
Tutors must take all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination, and demeaning treatment, and to respect their rights.
Tutors must value students and take their contributions seriously.
Tutors must work in partnership with parents and children, which is essential for child protection.
Tutors must use appropriate language that is not offensive or discriminatory.
Tutors must not make improper suggestions to students.
Tutors must ensure that any contact or communication with students is appropriate to their role as a tutor and relevant to the subject matter they are teaching.
Tutors must avoid inappropriate communication with students both on and outside the platform and report any unsolicited communications from students if necessary.
Tutors are responsible for their own security when using our services, both online and offline.
Tutors must report any complaints in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Tutors must report any safeguarding concerns or illegal activity to Atnda immediately.
Parent/Responsible Adult Responsibilities
The parent/legal guardian is responsible for selecting a suitable tutor for the student and should conduct any necessary checks, including reviewing the tutor’s DBS certification, if required.
The parent/legal guardian must ensure that the student is fully aware of Atnda’s Safeguarding Policy.
The parent/legal guardian is responsible for the student’s welfare during lessons.
The parent/legal guardian is responsible for ensuring the physical environment during the lesson is safe and appropriate.
The parent/legal guardian should, if deemed appropriate, be present or available during the lesson to address any concerns the student may have and ensure appropriate behavior between the student and tutor.
The parent/legal guardian must use their best efforts to ensure that tutors are treated with respect and fairness by the student and are not subjected to abusive or inappropriate behavior or language.
The parent/legal guardian must ensure that the student does not engage in inappropriate communication with the tutor outside of the platform.
The parent/legal guardian must report any unsolicited communications between the tutor and student if appropriate.
The parent/legal guardian must report any disputes with a tutor to Atnda