Policy Center

Safeguarding Children and Adults Policy

Different Path Education Support
Proprietor and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Amy Louise Herbert
Email: enquiries@differentpatheducationsupport.com
Version: 1.3 — October 2026
Last reviewed: 11 October 2026
Next scheduled review: October 2027

1. Policy Statement
Different Path Education Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults accessing our services.
We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe, valued, respected and protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and harm.
We recognise that individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), communication differences, additional vulnerabilities or complex circumstances may face increased safeguarding risks or barriers to communicating concerns.
The safety, welfare and wellbeing of individuals accessing our services will always be a priority.
We are committed to maintaining safe professional boundaries, recognising potential safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action to protect individuals from harm.

2. Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to all services delivered by Different Path Education Support, including:
• One-to-one tutoring and educational support.
• SEND and EHCP-related learning support.
• Alternative provision and educational reintegration.
• Mentoring and personal development support.
• Support for children and young people experiencing barriers to education.
• Educational and mentoring support for adults, including adults at risk.
• Home-based tutoring and mentoring.
• Community-based learning, including libraries and other suitable venues.
• Online tutoring and mentoring.
• Services commissioned by schools, local authorities and other organisations.
Where provision is commissioned by another organisation, relevant safeguarding requirements, reporting procedures and contractual arrangements will also be followed.

3. Safeguarding Responsibilities
Amy Louise Herbert is the proprietor and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Different Path Education Support.
Responsibilities include:
• Recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Maintaining appropriate safeguarding training and knowledge.
• Recording safeguarding concerns accurately and securely.
• Making referrals to appropriate statutory safeguarding agencies.
• Cooperating with schools, local authorities and other professionals.
• Maintaining professional boundaries.
• Ensuring appropriate individual risk assessments are completed.
• Reviewing safeguarding procedures and working practices.
• Promoting inclusive and safe learning environments.
Safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and responded to without unnecessary delay.

4. Recognising Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
Different Path Education Support recognises that safeguarding concerns may involve:
• Physical abuse.
• Emotional or psychological abuse.
• Sexual abuse.
• Neglect and acts of omission.
• Domestic abuse.
• Child sexual exploitation.
• Child criminal exploitation.
• Grooming and trafficking.
• Online abuse and exploitation.
• Bullying and discriminatory abuse.
• Financial or material abuse.
• Self-neglect.
• Modern slavery.
• Radicalisation.
• Harmful sexual behaviour.
• Other circumstances presenting a risk of abuse or significant harm.
Concerns may become apparent through disclosures, observations, changes in behaviour or information provided by others.
We recognise that individuals may communicate distress or concerns in different ways and that behavioural changes should be considered carefully rather than dismissed.

5. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
If a safeguarding concern or disclosure arises, Different Path Education Support will:
• Remain calm and listen carefully.
• Take the concern seriously.
• Allow the individual to communicate in their preferred or accessible way.
• Avoid leading questions or conducting an independent investigation.
• Never promise absolute confidentiality.
• Explain appropriately that information may need to be shared to keep someone safe.
• Record the concern factually, including dates, times, observations and the individual's own words wherever possible.
• Refer the concern promptly to the appropriate safeguarding service, commissioning organisation or emergency service.
• Record actions taken and any subsequent advice or decisions.
Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm, emergency services will be contacted by calling 999.
Safeguarding concerns will not be delayed while waiting for consent where a lawful and necessary reason exists to share information to protect someone from harm.

6. Individual Risk Assessments and Supervision
Different Path Education Support recognises that children and young people have different developmental, educational, emotional, behavioural and safeguarding needs.
Supervision arrangements for learners under 18 will be based on individual written risk assessments, rather than age alone.
Risk assessments will consider:
• Age and developmental needs.
• SEND, EHCP requirements and relevant disabilities.
• Communication and emotional regulation needs.
• Known safeguarding concerns.
• Medical needs and emergency arrangements.
• The suitability and safety of the learning environment.
• The learner's independence and vulnerability.
• Access to responsible adults.
• Arrival, departure and handover arrangements.
• Any requirements set by schools or commissioning organisations.
Different Path Education Support will not currently provide face-to-face sessions with a child or young person where the proprietor is the only adult present at the venue.
A parent, carer, responsible adult or appropriately designated member of staff must remain on site throughout face-to-face sessions involving learners under 18.
The level of direct supervision will be determined by the individual risk assessment and agreed arrangements.
The responsible adult must be contactable and able to respond promptly if required.
Where adequate safeguarding arrangements cannot be maintained, the session will not proceed or will be rearranged.
Parental consent alone does not remove the requirement for appropriate safeguarding arrangements.
Risk assessments will be reviewed when needs, circumstances or identified risks change.

7. Working in Learners' Homes
Home-based tutoring and mentoring will take place in an appropriate and safe environment.
Before and during provision, consideration will be given to:
• Suitable learning space.
• Access and exit arrangements.
• Presence of other household members.
• Pets and environmental hazards.
• Safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Emergency contact arrangements.
• Confidentiality and privacy.
• Individual medical, sensory and behavioural needs.
A responsible adult must remain on site during face-to-face sessions with learners under 18.
Different Path Education Support reserves the right to stop or rearrange a session where the environment is unsafe or safeguarding arrangements are inadequate.

8. Community-Based and Commissioned Provision
Different Path Education Support may deliver services in libraries, community venues, schools and other agreed settings.
Appropriate arrangements will be established for:
• Supervision and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Attendance and handovers.
• Emergency contacts.
• Access to facilities.
• Learners leaving the agreed learning area.
• Reporting incidents and safeguarding concerns.
• Communication with parents, carers and commissioners.
When working with schools, local authorities or other commissioning organisations, relevant safeguarding policies and agreed reporting procedures will be followed.
A responsible adult must be present at the venue when working face-to-face with learners under 18.

9. SEND, Communication and Additional Needs
Different Path Education Support recognises that some children, young people and adults may experience barriers to communicating safeguarding concerns.
We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive safeguarding arrangements.
Approaches may include:
• Visual communication resources.
• Alternative and augmentative communication.
• Simplified or accessible language.
• Additional processing time.
• Predictable routines.
• Sensory adjustments.
• Supporting individual communication preferences.
• Appropriate involvement of trusted adults and professionals.
Distress, withdrawal, avoidance or changes in behaviour will be considered in context.
A person's disability, communication needs or SEND will never be used as a reason to dismiss a safeguarding concern.

10. Safeguarding Adults at Risk
Different Path Education Support recognises its responsibility to identify and respond appropriately to concerns involving adults at risk of abuse or neglect.
Adult safeguarding practice will consider the individual's circumstances, wishes, communication needs, capacity and right to make decisions.
Where safeguarding concerns arise, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with relevant legislation and local safeguarding procedures.
Concerns may be referred to adult safeguarding services, emergency services or other appropriate agencies where necessary and lawful.

11. Online Safety and Remote Sessions
Online tutoring, mentoring and educational support will use agreed professional communication platforms.
Different Path Education Support will:
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Avoid private communication with learners through personal social media accounts.
• Establish appropriate safeguarding and supervision arrangements.
• Consider the learner's age, needs and online safety.
• Agree communication methods with parents, carers or commissioners where relevant.
• Respond appropriately to online safeguarding concerns.
Sessions will not be recorded without a clear legitimate purpose, appropriate lawful basis and required permissions.
Online safeguarding incidents will be recorded and managed under this policy.

12. Positive Behaviour and De-escalation
Different Path Education Support promotes supportive, respectful and individualised approaches to behaviour.
We recognise that behaviour may communicate distress, anxiety, sensory overload, unmet needs or difficulties with communication.
Strategies may include:
• Predictable routines.
• Visual supports.
• Movement and sensory breaks.
• Appropriate adjustments to learning demands.
• Positive reinforcement.
• Calm communication.
• De-escalation and collaborative problem-solving.
Humiliating, threatening, discriminatory or punitive practices are not acceptable.
Physical intervention will not be used as a routine behaviour management strategy.
Any immediate action to prevent serious harm must be lawful, necessary and proportionate. Where appropriate, emergency assistance will be requested.

13. Missing Learners and Unexpected Absence
Different Path Education Support recognises the importance of monitoring attendance and responding promptly where a learner is unexpectedly absent or leaves an agreed learning area.
Where appropriate, procedures will include:
• Checking attendance and expected arrival.
• Contacting the responsible adult or commissioning organisation.
• Considering the learner's individual vulnerabilities.
• Following agreed missing-learner procedures.
• Alerting appropriate safeguarding professionals.
• Contacting emergency services where immediate safety concerns arise.
Incidents will be recorded and relevant risk assessments reviewed.
Learners will not be physically prevented from leaving unless intervention is lawful, necessary and proportionate to prevent immediate harm.

14. Lone Working and Professional Boundaries
Different Path Education Support recognises the risks associated with independent tutoring, mentoring and home-based provision.
Appropriate lone-working arrangements will be maintained, including:
• Assessing risks associated with unfamiliar locations.
• Maintaining access to emergency contact information.
• Establishing communication and check-in procedures.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Avoiding unsafe or isolated working arrangements.
• Reporting concerns and incidents promptly.
No face-to-face session with an under-18 learner will proceed where the proprietor would be the only adult present at the venue.
Different Path Education Support may decline, suspend or rearrange services where risks cannot be managed safely.

15. Safer Working, DBS and Training
Different Path Education Support is committed to appropriate safeguarding training, safer working practices and professional accountability.
The proprietor holds an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate covering the relevant child and adult workforce activities, subject to applicable eligibility and suitability requirements.
Relevant training, qualifications, identity documentation and insurance records will be maintained.
Where additional staff, contractors or associates are engaged in future, appropriate recruitment, vetting, safeguarding induction and supervision arrangements will be established before they begin work.

16. Confidentiality, Recordkeeping and Information Sharing
Safeguarding records will be recorded accurately, stored securely and protected from unauthorised access.
Records may include:
• Dates and times of concerns.
• Factual observations.
• Details of disclosures.
• Relevant actions and referrals.
• Individuals or organisations contacted.
• Follow-up arrangements.
Information will be shared only where there is an appropriate lawful basis and a legitimate safeguarding purpose.
Safeguarding information will be kept separate from routine educational records where appropriate.
Records will be retained according to applicable legal, safeguarding and contractual requirements.

17. Allegations and Concerns About the Proprietor
All concerns or allegations involving the conduct of Amy Louise Herbert will be treated seriously.
Where an allegation relating to a child meets the relevant threshold, concerns will be referred through the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) process.
Concerns involving adults at risk will be referred to the appropriate adult safeguarding authority.
Where required, commissioning organisations and relevant statutory agencies will be informed.
The proprietor will not independently investigate allegations concerning their own conduct where an external safeguarding response is required.
Individuals may contact relevant safeguarding authorities directly without first reporting concerns to Different Path Education Support.

18. Safeguarding Contact Information
Different Path Education Support
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Amy Louise Herbert
Email: enquiries@differentpatheducationsupport.com

Oxfordshire Children's Social Care / Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Telephone: 01865 519800

Oxfordshire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Telephone: 01865 810603
Email: lado.safeguardingchildren@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxfordshire Adult Safeguarding
Telephone: 01865 519800

Out-of-Hours Emergency Duty Team
Telephone: 0800 833 408

Emergency Services
Telephone: 999

Where services are delivered outside Oxfordshire, the relevant local authority safeguarding services will be contacted.

19. Policy Monitoring and Review
Different Path Education Support will review this policy annually and whenever significant safeguarding incidents, changes in legislation, statutory guidance or service arrangements require an earlier review.
Safeguarding practice will remain under ongoing consideration to ensure that appropriate protections are maintained for children, young people and adults accessing our services.

Policy owner: Amy Louise Herbert
Version: 1.3
Last reviewed: 11 October 2026
Next scheduled review: October 2027.