Last updated: 09/01/2026

1. Policy Statement

LinkyThinks Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We recognise that we have a duty of care to act in the best interests of all pupils who engage with our services and to take reasonable steps to protect them from harm.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, tutors, employees, contractors and directors are expected to understand and follow this policy and to act promptly if a concern arises.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all children and young people aged 7–16 who engage with LinkyThinks services, whether through group tuition, one-to-one online sessions, or occasional in-person workshops delivered in public spaces with families present.

LinkyThinks is an online-only tuition provider. The safeguarding risks and controls set out below are therefore tailored specifically to online delivery.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for LinkyThinks is:

Dan Rosenberg
Co-Founder and CEO

The DSL has overall responsibility for safeguarding, child protection, PREVENT oversight, and for ensuring that this policy is implemented effectively.

4. Escalation and Cover Arrangements

As LinkyThinks has a single Designated Safeguarding Lead, the following escalation arrangements apply:

• In the event that the DSL is unavailable and a safeguarding concern is urgent, staff must contact local statutory services directly, including Children’s Social Care or the Police, and inform the DSL as soon as possible thereafter.

• Staff are provided with guidance on how to contact local safeguarding services and the NSPCC.

• Where appropriate, advice may also be sought from the Tutors’ Association safeguarding helpline.

5. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by, and should be read in conjunction with, the following legislation and statutory guidance:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (as applicable to online provision)

• Working Together to Safeguard Children

• The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (PREVENT Duty)

• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

6. Safer Recruitment and Staff Conduct

LinkyThinks is a tutoring provider, not an agency. All tutors are employed directly by the company.

Safeguarding measures include:

• Enhanced DBS checks for all tutors, with ongoing monitoring via the DBS Update Service through The Tutors’ Association

• Verification of identity, qualifications, and right to work

• Clear codes of conduct for staff working with children

• Safeguarding expectations embedded within contracts and induction

Tutors may be UK-based or overseas. Where overseas tutors are engaged, equivalent safeguarding checks and additional supervision measures will be applied.

7. Training and Awareness

All staff and tutors receive safeguarding training appropriate to online tuition. This includes:

• recognising signs of abuse and neglect

• understanding safeguarding risks associated with online learning

• knowing how to report concerns appropriately

• PREVENT awareness training delivered internally

Safeguarding training is refreshed regularly and updates are shared where guidance or organisational practice changes.

8. Online Delivery and Recording

All sessions are delivered live via Zoom.

Safeguarding controls include:

• Sessions are recorded for safeguarding and training purposes

• Recordings are stored on an encrypted cloud server

• Access to recordings is restricted to LinkyThinks Directors only

• Breakout rooms are used rarely and only where appropriate

• Tutors are not permitted to deliver sessions in private, unrecorded environments

9. Communication with Pupils

LinkyThinks aims to route all communication through parents or guardians wherever possible.

In some cases, older pupils may access homework platforms or learning materials using their own email address. In these circumstances:

• parents or guardians remain the primary point of contact

• communication is limited strictly to educational matters

• one-to-one messaging between tutors and pupils outside scheduled sessions is avoided

10. Recognising and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include:

• Abuse or neglect

• Emotional distress

• Inappropriate behaviour online

• Radicalisation or extremist views

All staff must:

• Act immediately on any concern

• Record concerns factually and objectively

• Report concerns to the DSL without delay

11. Reporting Process

Safeguarding concerns should be reported to the DSL as soon as possible.

The DSL will:

• Assess the concern

• Decide on appropriate action

• Make referrals to statutory agencies where required

• Keep clear and confidential records

Parents will be informed unless doing so would place the child at further risk.

12. PREVENT Duty

LinkyThinks recognises its duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

This includes:

• Awareness of radicalisation indicators

• Safe discussion of controversial topics within lessons

• Reporting concerns to the DSL

• Making referrals to appropriate agencies where necessary

13. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Safeguarding information is handled sensitively and in line with data protection legislation.

Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis and where necessary to protect a child.

14. Code of Conduct

All staff and tutors working with children must:

• act professionally at all times

• maintain appropriate boundaries with pupils

• avoid one-to-one contact outside scheduled sessions wherever possible

• never use personal social media to communicate with pupils

• report any safeguarding concerns, disclosures or inappropriate behaviour immediately

Any breach of this code of conduct may result in disciplinary action.

15. Whistleblowing

Staff are encouraged to raise concerns about safeguarding practice, conduct, or behaviour that may place a child at risk.

Concerns may be raised directly with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or, where appropriate, externally via statutory bodies or the Tutors’ Association.

16. Review

This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if required by changes in legislation, guidance, or organisational practice.