Safeguarding Policy
1. Purpose
Lunar-Lingo Ltd is committed to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive online learning environment for every student.
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility involving Lunar-Lingo Ltd, our teachers, parents or legal guardians, students, and anyone acting on behalf of the company.
This Policy explains our approach to safeguarding, child protection, online safety, and the reporting of safeguarding concerns.
2. Scope
This Policy applies to:
- all Lunar-Lingo Ltd directors;
- teachers and tutors;
- contractors engaged by Lunar-Lingo Ltd;
- students;
- parents and legal guardians;
- anyone delivering or supporting Lunar-Lingo Ltd services.
It applies to all online lessons, communications, educational activities, and related services provided by Lunar-Lingo Ltd.
3. Our Safeguarding Commitment
Lunar-Lingo Ltd is committed to:
- placing student welfare at the centre of our decision-making;
- promoting a safe online learning environment;
- treating every student with dignity and respect;
- encouraging appropriate and professional conduct;
- responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns;
- maintaining appropriate confidentiality while recognising circumstances where concerns may need to be shared for safeguarding or legal reasons.
4. Guiding Principles
Our safeguarding approach is based on the following principles:
- every student deserves to learn in a safe environment;
- all concerns should be taken seriously;
- safeguarding decisions should prioritise the welfare of the student;
- safeguarding responsibilities should be proportionate to the nature of our services;
- online learning presents unique safeguarding considerations that require appropriate controls.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Lunar-Lingo Ltd
Lunar-Lingo Ltd is responsible for:
- maintaining this Safeguarding Policy;
- promoting a safeguarding culture;
- maintaining appropriate reporting procedures;
- reviewing safeguarding practices regularly;
- responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
Teachers
Teachers are expected to:
- behave professionally at all times;
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
- create a respectful learning environment;
- report safeguarding concerns promptly;
- follow Lunar-Lingo Ltd safeguarding procedures.
Teachers must not engage in conduct that could place a student at risk or undermine trust in the learning relationship.
Parents and Guardians
Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to:
- provide accurate information when enrolling students;
- ensure younger students have appropriate supervision where suitable;
- provide a suitable learning environment where reasonably possible;
- communicate safeguarding concerns promptly.
Students
Students are expected to:
- treat teachers and other learners respectfully;
- behave appropriately during lessons;
- report anything that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable to a trusted adult or Lunar-Lingo Ltd where appropriate.
6. Online Safety
Because all lessons are delivered online, Lunar-Lingo Ltd promotes safe online learning practices.
This includes:
- using approved learning platforms;
- protecting account credentials;
- encouraging appropriate online behaviour;
- respecting the privacy of participants;
- avoiding unnecessary sharing of personal information.
Students should not share passwords or sensitive personal information during lessons.
7. Communications
Communication with students should remain professional and appropriate.
Business communications should take place through approved communication channels whenever reasonably practicable.
Private or inappropriate communications between teachers and students are not permitted.
Where communication with a minor is necessary outside a scheduled lesson, parents or guardians should be included where appropriate.
8. Recording Lessons
Lessons will only be recorded where there is a legitimate educational or operational reason and where this is consistent with our Privacy Policy and applicable law.
Where recordings are made:
- participants will be informed where required;
- recordings will be stored securely;
- access will be restricted to authorised persons;
- recordings will be retained only for as long as necessary.
Students, parents, and teachers must not make or distribute unauthorised recordings of lessons.
9. Professional Boundaries
Teachers and representatives of Lunar-Lingo Ltd are expected to maintain clear professional boundaries.
Examples include:
- communicating respectfully;
- avoiding favouritism;
- avoiding inappropriate personal relationships;
- avoiding unnecessary sharing of personal information;
- maintaining professional conduct at all times.
10. Safeguarding Concerns
A safeguarding concern may include any behaviour or circumstance that suggests a student may be at risk of harm, abuse, exploitation, neglect, bullying, grooming, or other inappropriate conduct.
Concerns may arise from:
- student disclosures;
- observations during lessons;
- communications;
- reports from parents or guardians;
- reports from third parties.
Every concern will be considered on its own circumstances.
11. Reporting Procedure
Anyone with a safeguarding concern relating to Lunar-Lingo Ltd should report it as soon as reasonably possible.
Reports should include, where available:
- the date and time;
- the individuals involved;
- a factual description of the concern;
- any immediate risks;
- any action already taken.
Lunar-Lingo Ltd will:
- acknowledge the report where appropriate;
- assess the information available;
- determine appropriate next steps;
- maintain appropriate confidentiality;
- involve relevant authorities where required by applicable law or where necessary to protect an individual from serious harm.
12. Confidentiality
Safeguarding information will be handled sensitively.
Information will only be shared:
- where necessary to investigate a concern;
- where required by law;
- where necessary to protect an individual from serious harm;
- with authorised persons who have a legitimate need to know.
13. Safer Recruitment
Business Decision Required
As Lunar-Lingo Ltd grows, recruitment procedures may include measures such as:
- identity verification;
- reference checks;
- qualification verification;
- criminal record or background checks where appropriate and legally available;
- safeguarding training.
The specific recruitment procedures adopted by Lunar-Lingo Ltd will be documented separately and reviewed periodically.
14. Training
Business Decision Required
Lunar-Lingo Ltd intends to provide appropriate safeguarding guidance and training for individuals involved in delivering tutoring services.
The nature and frequency of training will be proportionate to the individual’s role and responsibilities.
15. Review and Continuous Improvement
Safeguarding is an ongoing process.
Lunar-Lingo Ltd will review this Policy:
- at least annually;
- following safeguarding incidents;
- following significant changes to legislation or guidance;
- following operational changes affecting safeguarding.
Lessons learned from safeguarding concerns will be used to improve our policies and procedures where appropriate.
16. Contact
Safeguarding concerns relating to Lunar-Lingo Ltd should be reported using the designated safeguarding contact details below.
Safeguarding Contact: Mr. Heinrich Smit (Director and founding partner) or Mr. Garth Anderson (Director and founding partner)
Email: admin@lunar-lingo.com
Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm, individuals should contact the appropriate emergency services or child protection authorities in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.