Private tutors must be held to the same safeguarding standards as schools, writes Susie Thomson, MD of the Security Watchdog, which offers employment screening services.
A recent BBC investigation into safeguarding failures in the private tutoring industry has uncovered a deeply concerning issue that I, and many in the security sector, have been warning about for years. A man charged with sexual assault continued to advertise as a tutor for children despite bail conditions preventing him from having contact with minors. Another tutor, banned from teaching due to inappropriate behaviour, was offering one-to-one online sessions with children.
These cases are not just isolated incidents; they reflect a systemic failure to regulate an industry that works with one of the most vulnerable groups in society – our children!
This investigation reveals a massive hole in safeguarding — a gap that has persisted for far too long. The absence of legal requirements for private tutors to undergo background checks or hold any teaching qualifications leaves the door wide open for individuals with harmful intentions to exploit children. In the UK, anyone can simply label themselves a tutor, set up a website or sign up to a platform, and start working with children, without any oversight or scrutiny. This lack of regulation, especially when it comes to self-employed tutors, is putting children at unnecessary risk.
From my perspective as a screening expert, the most immediate issue is that private tutors are not legally required to have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, particularly the enhanced version, which would flag any history of criminal or disciplinary action. The fact that someone could be banned from teaching in schools but can still offer private tuition is unacceptable. It’s incomprehensible that childminders must undergo DBS checks, yet private tutors, who often work in one-on-one settings, are not held to the same standard. This situation must change—and fast.
The consequences for child protection are grave. As a parent, would you knowingly entrust your child’s safety to someone who hasn’t been checked? Of course not. But parents, by and large, are unaware that tutors don’t legally have to be vetted. Even platforms, where some of these tutors advertise, state that they encourage DBS checks but don’t enforce them.
Encouragement is not enough. These platforms, which profit from connecting tutors to children, should make enhanced DBS checks mandatory for anyone using their services. Furthermore, platforms should have the infrastructure to monitor safeguarding credentials continuously—not just offer a “snapshot” of someone’s criminal record at the time of application. Regular re-checks should be a requirement, along with ongoing social media monitoring to detect any concerning behaviour.
While the government expects tutoring agencies to follow safeguarding guidelines, they must take firmer action. We need legislation that mirrors the safeguarding framework we use in schools, where anyone working with children is subject to rigorous background checks. It should not be optional for tutors to undergo these checks—it should be compulsory. There should be a registration system where private tutors must register their DBS status, and parents should have easy access to verify that information. If childminders and teachers must go through this process, so should tutors.
I also believe that tutoring associations, like The Tutors’ Association, have a significant role to play here. They should provide a pathway for self-employed tutors to get an enhanced DBS check and maintain a registry of verified tutors. This would allow parents to feel confident that the tutor they hire has been thoroughly vetted. Additionally, there should be a public awareness campaign to educate parents on the importance of asking for this documentation. In my experience, people in the UK often feel embarrassed to ask for DBS checks, assuming that if someone is offering a service, they must be trustworthy. That attitude needs to change.
We also cannot rely on self-policing. Self-policing is inconsistent, open to abuse, and ultimately puts children at risk. We need independent bodies responsible for vetting and monitoring these individuals, as well as clear legal consequences for those who fail to comply.
Any regulatory framework must include a mechanism for continuous reporting and oversight. If a tutor is reported for inappropriate behaviour, agencies and platforms must act swiftly, removing the individual from their services until an investigation is completed. Transparency is key here—parents should be informed of the outcome of any complaints. It’s simply not enough for a platform to encourage best practices; they must enforce them with real consequences for failure.
The Department for Education has signalled that they are considering further action in this area, but we need more than just consideration—we need urgent reform. Private tutors should be held to the same legal scrutiny as teachers in schools. Yes, there will be challenges in enforcing this, particularly for tutors working independently. But the safety of our children should not be compromised because of logistical hurdles.
The time has come for a robust legal framework that not only protects children but also supports legitimate tutors in proving their commitment to safety. The BBC’s investigation should serve as a wake-up call: if we don’t act now, we will continue to leave children exposed to unnecessary and unacceptable risks.
Originally published Professional Security Magazine
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