Child safety

This policy covers students under 18 in online and at-home lessons and in related communications. We do not tolerate child abuse, grooming, neglect or discrimination. We listen to children’s views and support culturally safe, inclusive participation, including for Aboriginal children, children with disability and children from diverse backgrounds.

Parent Support is the contact point for concerns. The business owner is responsible for overseeing protective action, appropriate reporting and restricted recordkeeping. Every tutor remains responsible for meeting their own legal reporting obligations and must not wait for permission from Ivory to contact an authority.

• Tutors must be at least 18, complete our screening process and hold the check or lawful clearance appropriate to their work.
• Tutors receive child-safety induction and must follow the code of conduct.
• A parent or guardian must be included in communications with students under 18. Private social-media contact, secret communications and inappropriate personal relationships are prohibited.
• For at-home lessons, a responsible adult must remain on the premises and teaching must take place in a suitable shared area. Alternative venues require prior agreement and a suitability assessment.
• Online lessons use agreed access controls. Recording, automated transcription and AI meeting assistants remain off unless specific informed permission has been obtained from the parent and student, as appropriate.
• Using a student’s image, work or testimonial in marketing requires separate, voluntary permission. Agreeing to lessons does not give marketing permission.

A student, parent, tutor or other person can contact Parent Support about behaviour that feels unsafe or inappropriate. You do not need proof before raising a concern, and you may report anonymously. A child can also speak to a trusted adult who can help them report.

In an emergency or immediate danger, call 000. Our online form is not an emergency service. Do not wait for Ivory to respond before contacting police or child protection when urgent assistance is needed.

We will take concerns seriously, treat people respectfully and not penalise a person for raising a concern in good faith.

When a safety concern is identified, we assess immediate risk and take appropriate protective action without waiting for the routine enquiry response period. This may include pausing a tutor’s lessons or contact, changing access arrangements and making a report to police, child protection or the relevant regulator.

We record the information accurately, limit access to people who need it and seek specialist advice where needed. We do not promise absolute confidentiality or investigate in a way that interferes with an authority’s work. We consider the child’s wishes and needs when planning safe communication and updates.

Families will be told the next steps and receive appropriate updates, subject to safety, privacy and any directions from authorities. Protective measures do not prejudge the outcome of an allegation.

If a concern involves the business owner or the person handling Parent Support, you can report directly to police, child protection or the relevant regulator. The person complained about must not investigate or decide their own case. Any internal assessment must be assigned to a suitably independent person before it proceeds.

In Victoria, contact the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing where you believe a child needs protection. Its reporting page lists local intake teams; the after-hours child protection number is 13 12 78. Concerns about an organisation’s compliance with the Child Safe Standards can be raised with its relevant regulator, including the Social Services Regulator where applicable. In another state or territory, contact the corresponding authority.

Safety records are kept separately with restricted access. Records relating to actual or alleged child sexual abuse are retained for at least 45 years from creation in line with the Royal Commission’s recordkeeping recommendation. Other safety records are assessed for the period required by their purpose and any applicable legal obligations.

We review this policy and our procedures at least annually and after a significant incident or change in our services. Children, families and tutors can give feedback through Parent Support.