Your child is precious – you can’t take any chances with their wellbeing. So if you are considering hiring a private tutor in Manchester or Cheshire – or maybe online – it’s essential to do your homework first.
Just because some tutors advertise via online directories, there is no guarantee that they are safe. These directories usually offer an introduction service where you pay for the contact details of a listed tutor.
While it might seem all above board, there is no guarantee that the person IS who they say they are. Put the following checks on your to-do list..
If sourcing a tutor online, make sure you..
.. Conduct an online search to check the tutor has been verified. Make sure that they’ve undergone identity checks, that they are qualified or accredited and that they have checkable references.
Listen carefully to the questions they ask. Do they display subject knowledge? Do they ask pertinent questions about your child to demonstrate they understand all the nuances of learning? Ask them to take you through a success story – how have they made a difference?
Ask about their background life experiences, especially their past experience with children. Some tutors don’t always come via the teaching route, but can be highly capable tutors.
Equally, some tutors set up in practice with little experience of children but ‘think’ they can teach. Do they seem suitable? Keep your ears to the ground!
Independent tutors may not have a DBS – a police check. You will need to decide if it’s worth the risk to pursue someone without one.
When hiring a tutor through an organisation or agency
The difference with hiring through a tuition service such as 121 Home Tutors is that ALL the essential legwork is done for you. For instance, here’s just a flavour of what we do:
- We check every new tutor has a DBS – at the very least a Basic or Enhanced one. Many of our tutors can also apply for one through us. Criminal record checks are essential!
- We conduct thorough identity and address checks
- We assess whether a prospective tutor is suitable to tutor. From checking qualifications to past work experience, we only take on tutors who are both able and suitable
- We insist on references to ensure that all our tutors are professional, approachable and reliable
- We closely monitor tutors via regular feedback from both parents and tutors.
Best of all, we don’t charge you extra for this. Interested in finding out if a reliable tutor can make the difference to your child’s education too? Just get in touch with our experienced tutor team here.
Tags: finding a safe tutor online, how to check a tutor is safe, tutor with DBS