Policy
Safeguarding procedure
The welfare and best interests of every child are central to Lamplit English Studio.
Our commitment
Safeguarding means taking reasonable steps to prevent harm, recognising concerns and responding appropriately. This statement applies to online lessons, communications, shared work, lesson recordings and any promotional use of student material.
Professional boundaries and online safety
- Bookings, payments and formal permissions are handled by a parent or legal guardian.
- Lesson links and routine communications are sent through agreed professional channels.
- Direct communication with an older student takes place only where appropriate and agreed with the parent or guardian.
- Lessons take place through an agreed online platform and from an appropriate working environment.
- A parent or responsible adult should be contactable during lessons.
- Professional language, behaviour and boundaries are expected from everyone participating in or present during a lesson.
Lesson recording
Every online lesson is recorded by Lamplit to help safeguard children and adults and to provide an accurate record if a safety concern or complaint arises. Recording is a condition of tuition. A recording may include the student’s image, voice, shared screen and lesson chat, and the student will be reminded in age-appropriate language.
Recordings are stored in a restricted-access Google Drive account for 90 days after the lesson. Access is restricted to Ruaridh MacDermot unless disclosure is reasonably necessary for safeguarding, responding to a complaint or meeting a legal obligation. After 90 days, recordings are deleted unless a relevant concern, complaint or legal requirement means they must be retained for longer.
Safeguarding recordings are never published or used for promotion. Families must not make their own recording, photograph or screenshot of a lesson without prior written agreement.
Student work and optional media permission
Student information and work are kept private unless a parent or guardian gives optional permission through the approved Lamplit “Celebrating your child’s learning” permission card. Lamplit will never publish a child’s surname, school name or family contact details, and the child’s views will be respected in an age-appropriate way. Saying no will never affect lessons.
Responding to a concern
Ruaridh MacDermot is the safeguarding contact for Lamplit. A child cannot be promised complete confidentiality. If something suggests that a child or another person may be at risk, Lamplit will record the relevant facts, avoid unnecessary questioning and share information only with those who need it to protect the child.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include contacting the parent or guardian, local children’s social care, the relevant safeguarding authority, the police or emergency services. A parent will not be contacted first where doing so could increase the risk. For a student outside the United Kingdom, Lamplit will take reasonable steps to contact the appropriate authority or emergency service in the child’s location.
If there is immediate danger, contact the local emergency services. In the UK, call 999. Concerns about Lamplit or someone working with children may also be reported to the relevant local authority children’s services or Local Authority Designated Officer.
DBS, training and review
Ruaridh MacDermot holds a current Enhanced DBS check and has completed safeguarding training relevant to working with children.
This statement will be reviewed at least annually and whenever Lamplit’s teaching practice, technology, legal responsibilities or safeguarding guidance changes.