Safeguarding Policy
Cadmium Education Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
This policy sets out the standards that apply to all mentors and professionals providing services through Cadmium where those services involve individuals under the age of 18.
For the purposes of this policy, a minor means any individual under the age of 18.
1. Purpose
Cadmium Education Ltd is committed to creating a safe, respectful and professional learning environment for all students.
This policy establishes safeguarding standards and expectations for any individual delivering mentoring, tutoring, portfolio guidance, workshops or related educational services involving minors.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all tutors, mentors and professionals engaged by Cadmium Education Ltd who provide services involving minors.
Compliance with this policy is a condition of working with Cadmium.
3. DBS Requirement
Mentors delivering services involving minors must meet appropriate safeguarding requirements:
3.1 Mentors must hold a valid Enhanced DBS certificate where required under applicable safeguarding guidance.
3.2 Evidence of DBS certification must be provided to Cadmium upon request.
3.3 Cadmium reserves the right to suspend or terminate engagement where satisfactory safeguarding documentation is not provided.
4. Professional Conduct
Mentors must maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
They must:
• act professionally and responsibly
• treat all minors with dignity and respect
• avoid behaviour that could be interpreted as inappropriate, exploitative or suggestive
• avoid unnecessary physical contact, except where appropriate in an educational context and with parental awareness during in-person sessions
Mentors must not:
• develop personal relationships with minors
• engage in flirtatious, suggestive or inappropriate conversation
• share personal contact details with students
• exchange gifts without prior written approval
• arrange meetings with minors outside agreed session structures
5. Communication Boundaries
Communication with students must remain professional and appropriate at all times.
5.1 Mentors may communicate with students and/or parents or guardians where necessary to deliver services, provided communication occurs through professional or Cadmium-approved channels.
5.2 Mentors must not:
• communicate with minors through personal social media accounts
• add minors on social media platforms
• move conversations to private messaging platforms such as personal WhatsApp, Instagram or Snapchat without prior written approval from Cadmium
• share personal contact details outside agreed professional channels
5.3 Where services involve minors, communication regarding scheduling, payments or concerns should involve or be accessible to a parent or guardian where appropriate.
6. Online Safeguarding
Where sessions take place online:
• sessions must be conducted using approved video conferencing platforms
• mentors must conduct sessions in a professional environment
• appropriate dress and conduct must be maintained at all times
• sessions must take place in a private and appropriate setting free from unauthorised individuals in the background
• sessions may only be recorded with prior written parental consent and in accordance with Cadmium’s policies
7. In-Person Sessions
Where services take place in person:
• sessions must occur in appropriate and professional settings
• parents or guardians must be aware of session arrangements
• mentors must not transport minors unless expressly agreed in writing by Cadmium and the parent or guardian
8. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
Any safeguarding concern must be reported immediately.
This includes, but is not limited to:
• disclosures of abuse or harm
• suspicions of abuse or neglect
• inappropriate behaviour by any adult or minor
• boundary violations
Mentors must not conduct their own investigation.
Safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately to:
Cadmium’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is the Founder or another individual appointed by Cadmium and communicated to mentors in writing.
9. Data and Confidentiality
Safeguarding information must be treated as confidential and shared only with Cadmium or with appropriate authorities where required by law.
10. Breach of Policy
Any breach of this safeguarding policy may result in immediate suspension or termination of engagement with Cadmium.
Serious safeguarding breaches may result in immediate termination without notice.