Child Safe Policy
Our Commitment
TutorMunk (ABN: TBC, ACN: TBC) has zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect and exploitation. Every child who works with us has the right to be safe, to be listened to and to be treated with respect.
This matters more for us than for a tutoring business that operates online. Our tutors sit beside children, in their homes and at our centre. That closeness is what makes the teaching work, and it is exactly why our safeguards have to be explicit and followed every time, not assumed.
This policy applies to everyone who works for or with TutorMunk, including the owner, staff, tutors and contractors. Following it is a condition of engagement.
Scope and Legal Framework
Tutoring is child-related work. TutorMunk works within:
- the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, which requires a Working with Children Check for child-related work;
- the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, which sets out reporting of children at risk of significant harm;
- the Children's Guardian Act 2019 and the NSW Child Safe Standards;
- the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations;
- the Privacy Act 1988, in how we handle records about children.
TutorMunk is not currently a relevant entity under the NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme. We nevertheless investigate and record any allegation against a tutor to the same standard, because the safety of the child does not depend on which scheme applies.
How We Meet the Child Safe Standards
The table below sets out each of the ten NSW Child Safe Standards and what TutorMunk does about it.
| Standard | What TutorMunk does |
|---|---|
| 1. Child safety is embedded in leadership, governance and culture | The owner is accountable for child safety. This policy is approved by the owner, reviewed every six months, and every tutor signs the Code of Conduct before their first session. |
| 2. Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously | Tutors ask students how they are finding the sessions. A student may ask for a change of tutor or raise a concern at any time, directly or through a parent, and it is acted on. |
| 3. Families and communities are informed and involved | A parent or responsible adult is present for every in-home session and signs the session record. Families receive a note after every session and a report each term. Our policies are published on our website. |
| 4. Equity is upheld and diversity is taken into account | We tutor students of all backgrounds and abilities. Families tell us at enrolment about any learning, cultural, medical or communication need, and sessions are adjusted accordingly. |
| 5. People working with children are suitable and supported | Every tutor is interviewed, reference checked, and holds a verified Working with Children Check before their first session. See section 5. |
| 6. Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child focused | Any person may raise a concern. We act on it the same day. See sections 7 and 8. |
| 7. Staff are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness | Every tutor is briefed on this policy, the Code of Conduct and the In-Home and Centre Safety Policy at induction, and refreshed annually. |
| 8. Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse | In-home sessions take place in open areas with an adult present, never in a bedroom. Centre rooms are visible from outside or have the door open. No tutor is alone with a child behind a closed door. We do not run online sessions. |
| 9. Implementation is continuously reviewed and improved | This policy is reviewed every six months, and immediately after any incident. |
| 10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe | This policy, the Tutor Code of Conduct and the In-Home and Centre Safety Policy together document our approach and are given to every tutor and every family. |
Recruitment and Screening
Before a Tutor Starts
- An interview covering suitability to work with children, not only subject knowledge.
- At least two reference checks, including one covering work with children where available.
- Sighting of photo identification and qualifications.
- Verification of the Working with Children Check number online with the Office of the Children's Guardian, before the first session.
- Sighting of a current Australian driver licence where the tutor will attend homes.
- Signature on the Tutor Code of Conduct.
Working with Children Check Register
TutorMunk is registered as a child-related employer and keeps a register of every tutor. The register records:
| Field | Detail recorded |
|---|---|
| Full name | |
| Date of birth | |
| Working with Children Check number | |
| Date verified with the Office of the Children's Guardian | |
| Verification outcome | |
| Expiry date | |
| Paid or volunteer |
The register is checked monthly for approaching expiries. A tutor is contacted 60 days before expiry. A tutor whose check has expired, or who is barred or interim barred, is removed from all work with children immediately and cannot return until a valid clearance is verified. Engaging a person in child-related work without a valid check is an offence, and TutorMunk treats it as an absolute rule with no exceptions and no grace period.
Safe Session Practices
The detail is in the TutorMunk In-Home and Centre Safety Policy. The core rules are:
- A responsible adult is present in the home for the whole of every in-home session.
- Sessions take place in an open, accessible area such as a dining room, kitchen or lounge room. Never a bedroom.
- The adult present signs the session record at the end of every session.
- At the centre, rooms are visible from outside or the door stays open.
- No tutor is ever alone with a student behind a closed door.
- A student aged 16 or over may be tutored without an adult present only with the written permission of the parent or guardian, recorded in advance.
- No tutor transports a student in a vehicle, in any circumstances.
- No tutor contacts a student privately or arranges tutoring directly with a family.
- No photography or recording of a student without written parental consent.
Reporting a Concern
Anyone may report a concern about a child's safety. Tutors and staff must report immediately. A concern is never something to sit on, to investigate yourself first, or to raise with the family instead.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A child is in immediate danger | Call 000 first, then tell TutorMunk |
| Any other concern about a child's safety or wellbeing | Email hello@tutormunk.com.au the same day, and phone 1300 00MUNK (1300 006 865) if urgent |
| A concern about the conduct of a tutor or staff member | Email hello@tutormunk.com.au directly to the owner |
| A child discloses something to you | Listen, do not press for detail, do not promise to keep it secret, write down what was said in the child's own words as soon as you can, and report it the same day |
Reporting in good faith will never disadvantage anyone. Victimising someone for raising a concern is itself a breach of this policy.
How We Respond
- The owner acknowledges the report on the day it is received.
- Where there is any risk to a child, the tutor concerned is stood down from all sessions immediately while the matter is looked into. Standing down is a precaution and is not a finding.
- We report to the NSW Police Force and to the Department of Communities and Justice where the law requires it or where we consider it appropriate. Where a criminal offence may have occurred, we do not conduct our own investigation first, we report.
- We support the child and the family throughout, and we tell them what we are doing.
- Every report, action and outcome is recorded and kept for 45 years.
- After every incident we review what happened and what needs to change.
Mandatory Reporting
A person who delivers education services to children in the course of their paid work may be a mandatory reporter under section 27 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998. TutorMunk requires every tutor and staff member to act as though this obligation applies to them, and to report to TutorMunk immediately so the report can be made properly and quickly. Acting on the safe assumption costs nothing. Assuming the opposite could cost a great deal.
Training
Every tutor is taken through this policy, the Tutor Code of Conduct and the In-Home and Centre Safety Policy at induction, before their first session. This is refreshed annually and whenever the policy changes materially. Tutors are given practical guidance on recognising signs of harm, responding to a disclosure, and maintaining professional boundaries.
Records
Child safety records, including reports, notes of disclosures, investigation records and outcomes, are kept securely, separately from ordinary student files, accessible only to the owner, and retained for 45 years.
Review
This policy is reviewed every six months, after any incident, and whenever the law changes. It is owned and approved by Indy Singh.
Contact Us
Email: hello@tutormunk.com.au
Phone: 1300 00MUNK (1300 006 865)
Business address: Level 27, International Towers, 100 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney NSW 2000
Tutoring centre: TutorMunk Gregory Hills, The HUB, 31 Lasso Road, Gregory Hills NSW 2557
Website: tutormunk.com.au