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Code of Conduct Policy

Professional standards and boundaries expected of everyone tutoring with CTS.

Code of Conduct Policy

Company Name: CTS Policy Owner: Director/Designated Safeguarding Lead Version: 1.0 Effective Date: 11/08/26 Review Date: 11/08/27

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that all staff, tutors, contractors and volunteers maintain the highest standards of professional behaviour when working with children, young people, parents, carers and partner organisations.

This policy helps to:

  • Protect children and young people.
  • Protect staff from misunderstandings or allegations.
  • Promote a safe, professional learning environment.
  • Ensure consistency across all tutoring services.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Employees
  • Self-employed tutors
  • Agency tutors
  • Volunteers
  • Contractors

It applies to:

  • Face-to-face tuition
  • Home tuition
  • Online tuition
  • Educational visits
  • Communication with students and families

3. Professional Standards

All staff and tutors must:

  • Act with honesty, integrity and professionalism.
  • Treat all students with dignity and respect.
  • Promote the welfare and safety of children.
  • Follow all safeguarding procedures.
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
  • Act as positive role models.
  • Respect confidentiality.
  • Comply with relevant legislation and company policies.

4. Safeguarding Responsibilities

All tutors and staff have a responsibility to safeguard children and young people.

Staff must:

  • Complete safeguarding training before working with students.
  • Hold an appropriate DBS check where required.
  • Report safeguarding concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
  • Record concerns accurately and promptly.
  • Never ignore signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
  • Cooperate fully with safeguarding investigations.

Staff must understand that safeguarding concerns always take priority over confidentiality.

5. Professional Boundaries

Tutors must maintain clear professional boundaries at all times.

Tutors must not:

  • Develop inappropriate personal relationships with students.
  • Meet students socially outside agreed tutoring arrangements.
  • Exchange personal gifts of significant value.
  • Share personal problems with students.
  • Favour individual students.
  • Contact students for non-educational reasons.

Professional relationships should remain focused on educational support at all times.

6. Physical Contact

Any physical contact must:

  • Be appropriate.
  • Be necessary.
  • Be age-appropriate.
  • Never be secretive.
  • Never be capable of being misinterpreted.

Tutors must never engage in any behaviour that could be perceived as threatening, intimidating or inappropriate.

7. Communication with Students

All communication must be professional and transparent.

Tutors must:

  • Use approved communication channels.
  • Include parents/carers where appropriate.
  • Maintain accurate records of communication.
  • Use company email addresses where available.

Tutors must not:

  • Use personal social media to communicate with students.
  • Exchange personal mobile numbers unless authorised.
  • Engage in private online conversations unrelated to tuition.

8. Online Tutoring Conduct

During online sessions tutors must:

  • Use approved online platforms.
  • Ensure sessions take place in an appropriate environment.
  • Dress professionally.
  • Maintain professional language and behaviour.
  • Protect student privacy and confidentiality.

Tutors must not:

  • Record sessions without consent.
  • Use inappropriate backgrounds or content.
  • Communicate with students through gaming platforms or social media.

9. Home Tuition Expectations

When providing tuition in a pupil's home:

Tutors must:

  • Follow lone-working procedures.
  • Inform management of lesson locations where appropriate.
  • Assess risks before commencing support.
  • Remain within agreed teaching areas.
  • Maintain professional conduct throughout the visit.

Where possible:

  • A responsible adult should be present in the home.
  • Sessions should take place in a suitable environment.

Any concerns regarding safety or welfare must be reported immediately.

10. Equality and Inclusion

The company is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Staff must:

  • Treat everyone fairly and respectfully.
  • Challenge discrimination where appropriate.
  • Respect cultural, religious and personal differences.
  • Promote equal opportunities for all learners.

Discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.

11. Confidentiality

Staff may have access to sensitive information.

Staff must:

  • Keep information secure.
  • Share information only on a need-to-know basis.
  • Follow GDPR and Data Protection requirements.
  • Store records securely.

Confidential information must not be discussed in public places or shared with unauthorised individuals.

12. Social Media

Staff represent the company in both professional and personal settings.

Staff must not:

  • Post confidential information online.
  • Share images of students without permission.
  • Make comments that may damage the reputation of the company.
  • Communicate with students through personal social media accounts.

Professional conduct is expected both online and offline.

13. Health and Safety

Staff must:

  • Take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others.
  • Report accidents, incidents and near misses.
  • Follow risk assessment procedures.
  • Raise any concerns regarding unsafe environments.

14. Concerns and Whistleblowing

Staff are encouraged to report:

  • Safeguarding concerns
  • Unprofessional conduct
  • Breaches of policy
  • Health and safety risks
  • Illegal or unethical behaviour

No individual will be treated unfairly for raising a genuine concern.

15. Breach of the Code

Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in:

  • Additional training
  • Formal warnings
  • Termination of engagement
  • Referral to external agencies where appropriate

Serious breaches involving safeguarding may be referred to children's services, the police, or other relevant authorities.

Staff Declaration

I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with the requirements of this Code of Conduct.

Name: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Position: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Signature: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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