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Kalam Institute

Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: 21 October 2026

Kalam Institute teaches children aged approximately 6 to 15 in live online classes. The safety and wellbeing of every child is our first responsibility, and it comes before any other consideration. This policy explains how we keep children safe, what we expect from staff, students and parents, and what to do if you have a concern.

1. Our commitments

  • Every child has the right to learn in an environment where they are safe, respected and free from harm, whatever their age, background or ability.
  • All staff and volunteers share responsibility for safeguarding and must act on any concern.
  • We work in partnership with parents and guardians, who remain responsible for their child’s safety at home and online.
  • We review this policy at least once a year and after any serious incident.

2. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for safeguarding at Kalam Institute. They receive and record concerns, decide on next steps and, where necessary, contact the appropriate authorities.

Designated Safeguarding Lead: [Name, role]
Deputy: [Name, role]
Contact: [Safeguarding email address] or WhatsApp +92 314 4398575 (mark your message “Safeguarding”)

3. Safer recruitment of teachers

Before anyone teaches or supports a class, we:

  • check their identity, qualifications and teaching experience;
  • obtain at least two references, including one from a recent employer or institution;
  • obtain a police character certificate or equivalent criminal record check for the country where they live (for example, a DBS check for staff based in the UK);
  • hold an interview that includes questions about safeguarding and working with children;
  • provide safeguarding and online-safety training before their first class, with a refresher every year.

4. How our online classes are kept safe

  • Classes take place on a paid, password-protected Zoom account controlled by Kalam Institute. Personal meeting links are never used.
  • A waiting room is used for every class. The teacher admits only registered students, who must join using their registered first name.
  • Class links are shared only with registered parents and must not be passed on to anyone else.
  • Private chat between students, and between a student and a teacher, is switched off. Teachers communicate with children only during class and in the group chat.
  • Teachers never arrange one-to-one sessions, and never contact a student through personal phone numbers, personal email or social media. Any contact outside class is with the parent, through official Kalam Institute channels.
  • A second member of staff or the DSL may join any class unannounced to observe.
  • Teachers may remove a participant who behaves inappropriately and will inform the DSL and the parent.

5. Recordings

  • Lessons are recorded so that registered students can revise and catch up on missed classes.
  • Recordings are stored securely and shared only with registered families through private links. They are never published publicly.
  • Students and parents must not record, photograph, screenshot or share any part of a class.
  • Recordings are deleted at the end of each academic year unless a safeguarding matter requires us to keep them longer.
  • Recordings or images of children are never used for marketing without separate written consent from a parent, which can be withdrawn at any time.

6. Expectations of students

  • Join on time, using your registered first name, from a quiet place at home.
  • Be respectful to teachers and classmates. Bullying, unkind language or sharing inappropriate content is not accepted.
  • Keep the class link private, and never record or share the class.
  • Tell your parent or teacher straight away if anything online makes you feel uncomfortable.

7. Responsibilities of parents and guardians

  • Supervise your child’s device and internet use and make sure an adult is at home during class, especially for younger children.
  • Choose a suitable, quiet space for class, ideally a shared family area rather than a bedroom.
  • Make sure your child is appropriately dressed and that nothing inappropriate is visible or audible on camera.
  • Keep class links and login details private.
  • Tell us about anything that may affect your child’s wellbeing or learning, in confidence.

8. Code of conduct for staff

  • Teach from a quiet, appropriate setting, dressed modestly and professionally.
  • Treat every child with respect and never use humiliating, threatening or physical language.
  • Never request or accept friend or follow requests from students, or share personal contact details with them.
  • Never promise a child to keep a secret that may put them or another child at risk.
  • Report every concern, however small, to the DSL on the same day.

9. Recognising and reporting concerns

Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or neglect, and can also happen online. If a child tells you something worrying, or you notice something that concerns you:

  1. Stay calm, listen, and do not ask leading questions.
  2. Reassure the child that they were right to tell you, without promising to keep it secret.
  3. Write down what was said or seen, in the child’s own words, with the date and time.
  4. Report it to the DSL the same day. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the local emergency services first.

The DSL will record every concern securely, decide on next steps, and where appropriate refer the matter to the relevant child protection authorities or police in the child’s country.

10. Concerns about a member of staff

Any concern about the behaviour of a teacher or staff member must be reported directly to the DSL, or to the Director if the concern involves the DSL. The staff member may be suspended from teaching while the matter is looked into.

11. Online safety and bullying

We teach students to use the internet safely and respectfully. Bullying of any kind, online or in class, is taken seriously and dealt with promptly, with the families of all children involved.

12. Contact

If you have any concern about a child’s safety, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead straight away using the details in section 2.

Kalam Institute
Email: contact@kalam-institute.com
WhatsApp: +92 314 4398575
[Registered company name, registration number and registered address in Pakistan]