Student: Any individual receiving educational services from Crossroads Educational Consultants.

Educational Consultant: Any employee or contractor working for Crossroads Educational Consultants responsible for delivering educational services.

Home Environment: The residence where educational sessions take place, belonging to the student or their family.

Exam Centre: The official premises operated by Crossroads Educational Consultants where sessions, assessments, and exams may take place.

Alternative Site: Any off-site location used for educational purposes, including but not limited to The Meadows Wildlife Park, Techniquest, museums, or similar venues.

3 Responsibilities

3.1 Educational Consultants:

• Conduct all activities with the utmost professionalism, integrity, and respect for students’ rights and dignity.
• Undergo thorough background checks, including Enhanced DBS, before engaging in any educational sessions.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with students and avoid engaging in any behaviour that may be perceived as inappropriate or harmful.
• Never work alone with a pupil on-site at the Exam Centre or at any alternative site. A second adult must be present or readily available at all times.
• Report any concerns regarding the welfare or safety of a student to the designated safeguarding officer immediately.
• Regularly review and adhere to this Safeguarding Policy.

3.2 Designated Safeguarding Officer:

• Be the primary point of contact for all safeguarding concerns raised by educational consultants.
• Receive and investigate all safeguarding concerns promptly and confidentially.
• Ensure that appropriate action is taken in response to safeguarding concerns, including reporting to relevant authorities if necessary.
• Provide support and guidance to educational consultants on safeguarding matters.

3.3 Parents/Guardians:

• Provide a safe and suitable environment for educational sessions to take place within the home.
• Inform Crossroads Educational Consultants of any relevant information concerning the welfare or safety of their child.
• Cooperate with any safeguarding measures put in place to ensure the safety of their child during educational sessions.

4. Risk Assessment

4.1 Home Environment:

• Educational consultants will conduct a risk assessment of the home environment prior to commencing sessions to identify any potential hazards or risks to the safety of the student.
• Hazards identified during the risk assessment will be addressed with the student and their parents/guardians to ensure that appropriate measures are implemented to mitigate risks.

4.2 Exam Centre Environment:

• Risk assessments will also be conducted at the Exam Centre to ensure the physical and emotional safety of all students attending sessions on-site.
• CCTV is in operation throughout the Exam Centre to provide additional security and oversight.

4.3 Alternative Sites:

• A site-specific risk assessment will be conducted for each off-site location used for educational sessions.
• This includes assessment of site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, first aid availability, and supervision plans.
• These assessments ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all students and staff during off-site activities.

5. Code of Conduct

5.1 Professionalism:

• Educational consultants will maintain a professional demeanour at all times when interacting with students in any setting.
• Any form of discriminatory, harassing, or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

5.2 Boundaries:

• Educational consultants will establish clear boundaries with students to ensure that interactions remain appropriate and respectful.

6. Supervision and Access

6.1 Supervision at the Exam Centre:

• Educational consultants must not work alone with a pupil on-site at the Exam Centre. A second adult must be present or readily available at all times.
• Students remain under supervision while at the Centre and must not leave the building unless authorised by a parent/guardian.

6.2 Access Control:

• Adults without a valid DBS check will not be permitted past reception at the Exam Centre.
• All visitors and staff must sign in and wear visible ID while on the premises.

6.3 Facilities:

• Student toilets are located within the building, and there is no need for students to leave the Centre to access these facilities.
• Students will be reminded of appropriate boundaries when using communal areas.

6.4 Educational Sessions at Alternative Sites:

• This policy applies equally to educational sessions, trips, or enrichment activities conducted at alternative locations, including but not limited to The Meadows Wildlife Park, Techniquest, and other external venues.
• Students must be supervised at all times. No educational consultant or staff member may work alone with a student at these locations.
• Only DBS-checked staff will accompany students beyond public areas of any alternative venue.
• Appropriate staff-to-student ratios will be maintained in line with government guidance for off-site educational activities.
• A site-specific risk assessment will be carried out prior to each session.
• Written parental/guardian consent will be obtained in advance of the activity.
• Staff will carry up-to-date emergency contact details and relevant medical information for all participating students.

7. Supervision During Home Check-Ins

7.1 Parent/Guardian or Responsible Adult Presence:

• Educational consultants will not conduct check-in sessions with students unless a parent/guardian or responsible adult is also present in the home.
• The presence of a parent/guardian or responsible adult during check-in sessions provides an additional layer of supervision and ensures the safety and well-being of the student during the session.

7.2 Responsibility of Parents/Guardians:

• Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring their presence or arranging for a responsible adult to be present during check-in sessions.
• Failure to provide supervision during check-in sessions may result in the session being rescheduled or cancelled, with no liability on the part of Crossroads Educational Consultants.

8. Reporting Procedure

8.1 Concerns:

• Any safeguarding concerns regarding the welfare or safety of a student must be reported to the designated safeguarding officer immediately.
• Concerns must be reported in writing and will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.

8.2 Response:

• The designated safeguarding officer will report concerns directly to the appropriate Local Authority.

9. Review and Monitoring

9.1 Regular Review:

• This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains up-to-date and reflects current best practices in safeguarding.

9.2 Training:

• Educational consultants will receive regular training on safeguarding procedures and best practices to ensure their continued compliance with this policy.

10. Conclusion

Crossroads Educational Consultants prioritises the safety and well-being of students during all educational sessions, including check-ins conducted in their home environments, sessions at the Exam Centre, and activities held at external sites. Clear supervision protocols, site-specific risk assessments, and robust access controls ensure a safe and supportive learning environment across all settings.

Designated Safeguarding Leads: Katherine Gibson/Gavin Gibson/Carrie Powell

Date of Last Revision: 28/3/2026

Approved by: K.S. Gibson

K.S. Gibson

Katherine Gibson, Director