01Introduction
The safety and wellbeing of every child in our care is the first responsibility of Musicphonetics, ahead of all other considerations. This policy applies to every teacher, staff member, and representative of the institution, in the home and online alike.
02Our Commitment
We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and protective environment for all students. We accept that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and that no concern is ever too small to raise.
03Teacher Verification
No teacher works with a child until they have been personally vetted, interviewed, and verified by Musicphonetics. Selection is rigorous by design — every teacher is chosen, not merely accepted.
04Background Checks
Teachers undergo identity, document, and reference verification before engagement. We confirm who a person is, their qualifications, and their standing before they ever meet a student.
05Police Verification
Where applicable, teachers are required to provide police verification. We treat criminal-record checks as a baseline safeguard, not an optional formality.
06Child-Safe Communication
All communication concerning a student takes place through official, parent-included channels. Teachers do not hold private one-to-one messaging with a minor. Parents are always part of the line of communication.
07WhatsApp Rules
Messaging about a student happens through official Musicphonetics channels with a parent or guardian present in the conversation. One-to-one private messaging between a teacher and a child is prohibited.
08Photography & Video Consent
No image or recording of a child is captured or used without prior parental consent. Consent is recorded, specific, and may be withdrawn at any time.
09Online Lesson Safety
Online lessons are conducted in a shared, visible household space with a parent or guardian aware and nearby. Cameras remain on, sessions are not held behind closed doors, and the focus stays on the instrument and the music.
10Home Lesson Safety
Home lessons take place in an open, visible area of the home — never a closed or private room — with a parent or guardian present in or near the space throughout.
11Emergency Contacts
Up-to-date parent and guardian contact details are held for every student. In any emergency, the parent or guardian is contacted immediately, alongside the appropriate services where needed.
12Reporting Procedure
Any safeguarding concern — however minor it may seem — is reported to the Director immediately. Concerns are documented, taken seriously, and acted upon. No one is ever penalised for raising a genuine concern.
13Confidentiality
Safeguarding information is handled sensitively and shared only with those who need to know in order to protect the child. Confidentiality is maintained except where a child's safety requires disclosure.
14Safeguarding Responsibilities
Every person who represents Musicphonetics is responsible for upholding this policy, recognising concerns, and reporting them. Adherence is a condition of teaching with us and is reviewed regularly.