Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: January 2026

Dyslexia Coventry provides specialist dyslexia assessments and related educational services for children, young people and adults.

Sarah Grainger, owner of Dyslexia Coventry, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who access services, including the children of adults who attend assessments or appointments.

Safeguarding is central to all professional practice, and all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm.

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to:

• Protect children and young people who receive services from Dyslexia Coventry
   
• Provide parents, carers and professionals with clear information about safeguarding practice
   
• Set out the principles that guide the approach to child protection and welfare
   

This policy applies to all assessment settings, including Sarah’s home office, schools, education centres and workplaces.

This policy is based on legislation, guidance and best practice in England, including:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
   
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
   
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (as relevant to visiting professionals)
   
• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018
   

Further guidance is available from:

www.nspcc.org.uk/learning

This policy should be read alongside:

• Privacy Policy
   
• Terms and Conditions
   

Dyslexia Coventry believes that:

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
   
• Everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of children and young people
   
• Safeguarding underpins all professional decision-making
   

Dyslexia Coventry recognises that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount
   
• All children and young people have an equal right to protection, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation
   
• Some children may be more vulnerable due to additional needs, communication differences, previous experiences, or dependency on others
   

Working in partnership with children, young people, parents, carers, schools and other agencies is essential in promoting welfare and keeping children safe.

Sarah Grainger holds a current Enhanced DBS certificate and is subscribed to the DBS Update Service, ensuring ongoing monitoring of safeguarding status.

When visiting a school, education centre or workplace, Sarah can provide professional identification and safeguarding documentation, including:

• Dyslexia Coventry photographic lanyard
   
• Photographic driving licence
   
• Enhanced DBS certificate and DBS Update Service confirmation
   
• Letter of professional assurance, if required
   

If any additional documentation or checks are needed by the setting, this should be requested in advance. Every effort will be made to provide the required information to support safe and transparent working practice.

Dyslexia Coventry seeks to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting them
   
• Creating a calm, supportive and safe assessment environment
   
• Maintaining clear professional boundaries
   
• Following safeguarding and child protection best practice
   
• Recording, storing and sharing information securely and appropriately
   
• Ensuring families know how to raise concerns
   
• Sharing safeguarding concerns with relevant agencies when required
   
• Ensuring assessment environments meet health and safety expectations
   
• Promoting a culture where concerns can be raised and acted upon
   

If a safeguarding concern arises:

• It will be taken seriously and responded to promptly
   
• Accurate, factual records will be kept
   
• Information will be shared only with those who need to know
   
• Appropriate referrals will be made to safeguarding agencies
   

Where a child is believed to be at immediate risk of harm, emergency services will be contacted.

Confidentiality is respected wherever possible. However, safeguarding concerns will always take priority where a child or young person may be at risk of harm.

Safeguarding Lead:
Sarah Grainger
Phone: 07368 533607
Email: dyslexia.coventry@gmail.com

For safeguarding advice or to report a concern, you may also contact:

NSPCC Helpline
📞 0808 800 5000
🌐 www.nspcc.org.uk

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed regularly and updated in line with changes to legislation, guidance or professional requirements.