Trust and Safeguarding
Mentorleaf connects tutors with children and young people, so keeping learners safe is the first responsibility of everyone on the platform. This page explains how we approach tutor checks, what we expect from tutors and families, and how to raise a concern.
Raising a concern
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you are worried about a learner's safety or a tutor's behaviour, email join@mentorleaf.com with "Safeguarding" in the subject line. Tell us what happened, when, and who was involved. We treat every concern seriously.
You can also contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000, or your local council's children's services. Children and young people can call Childline free on 0800 1111. Concerns about online sexual abuse can be reported to CEOP at ceop.police.uk.
Tutor checks
Every tutor goes through verification and safeguarding-focused onboarding before they can be booked. This includes confirming their identity. Tutors who teach learners under 18 must hold the background check that applies where they live:
- England and Wales: an enhanced DBS check including the children's barred list.
- Scotland: PVG Scheme membership for regulated roles with children.
- Northern Ireland: an enhanced AccessNI check including the children's barred list.
Tutors must tell us straight away about any change that affects their check. Background checks are an important safeguard, but no check removes every risk, which is why we also set clear expectations for how lessons are run.
What we expect from tutors
- Keep all communication with learners and families on the Mentorleaf platform.
- Never share personal contact details or social media accounts with learners, or ask for theirs.
- Never arrange to meet a learner in person through Mentorleaf.
- Teach from a quiet, appropriate setting, dressed as you would for a professional lesson.
- Never promise a child that you will keep a secret about their safety.
- Report any concern about a learner's safety to us on the same day.
How parents stay involved
Learners under 18 can only use Mentorleaf through an account managed by a parent or guardian. Parents choose the tutor, manage bookings and can follow lesson activity and tutor feedback in their account. For younger children, we recommend that an adult is nearby during online lessons.
Online lesson safety
- Join lessons through the Mentorleaf platform only.
- Use a shared space at home rather than a bedroom where possible.
- Tell a parent, or contact us, if anything in a lesson makes you uncomfortable.
How we respond to concerns
When we receive a concern, we look into it promptly. Where a learner may be at risk, we can suspend a tutor's account immediately while we do so. We share information with the police and local authority children's services where that is needed to protect a child, and we make referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or AccessNI where the law requires it.
Your information
We handle safeguarding information carefully and only share it where needed to protect someone. Our Privacy Policy explains how.
Reviewing this policy
We review our safeguarding approach at least once a year and whenever the law or guidance changes.