Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Dyslexia Coventry

Last Updated: May 2026
Review Date: May 2027

Overview

Dyslexia Coventry provides specialist dyslexia assessments, literacy assessments, consultancy 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, young people and vulnerable adults who access services.

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

Purpose of This Policy

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to:

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

This policy applies to all assessment and consultancy settings, including Sarah Grainger’s home office, schools, education centres, workplaces and remote or online communication linked to professional services.

Legal Framework

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 (KCSIE) 
• Care Act 2014 (where relevant to vulnerable adults) 
• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 

Further safeguarding guidance is available from: NSPCC Learning

Supporting Documents

This policy should be read alongside:

• Privacy Statement 
• Terms and Conditions 

Statement of Principles

Dyslexia Coventry believes that:

• Children, young people and vulnerable adults should never experience abuse or      neglect of any kind 
• Everyone has a responsibility to promote welfare and safeguard individuals from harm 
• Safeguarding underpins all professional decision-making 
• Safe, respectful and professional practice is essential within all assessment environments 

Commitment to Equality and Inclusion

Dyslexia Coventry recognises that:

• The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is paramount 
• All individuals have an equal right to protection regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation 
• Some individuals may be more vulnerable due to additional needs, communication      differences, neurodivergence, previous experiences or dependency on others      
• Working in partnership with children, young people, adults, parents, carers, schools and other agencies is essential in promoting welfare and keeping individuals safe 

Safer Working Practice and Professional Checks

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, where required 

If additional documentation or safeguarding checks are required by the setting, these should be requested in advance wherever possible.

Every reasonable effort will be made to support safe, transparent and professional working practice.

Lone Working

As an independent practitioner, Sarah Grainger may work alone when carrying out assessments or consultancy work within schools, education centres, workplaces or home-based settings.

Appropriate steps are taken to maintain professional safety and safeguarding standards at all times. These may include:

• Ensuring that parents, carers or responsible adults remain nearby and contactable      during assessments involving children or vulnerable individuals 
• Maintaining professional boundaries throughout assessments and consultations 
• Keeping assessment room doors open where appropriate within schools or educational      settings, unless a learner specifically requests privacy or the setting’s procedures require otherwise 
• Holding a current Enhanced DBS certificate and subscription to the DBS Update Service 
• Providing professional identification and safeguarding documentation, including a Letter of Professional Assurance where required 

Dyslexia Coventry aims to balance safeguarding, professionalism, learner comfort, confidentiality and dignity appropriately within each assessment environment.

Online and Remote Communication

Dyslexia Coventry recognises the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and safeguarding standards during online and remote communication.

Communication with children and young people will ordinarily take place through parents, carers, schools or commissioning organisations unless professionally appropriate and agreed in advance.

Voice notes, emails, online questionnaires and remote communication are used professionally and appropriately in connection with commissioned services.

Social media communication is kept professional and appropriate at all times. Confidential or safeguarding-related matters will not be discussed through public social media platforms.

How Safeguarding Is Promoted

Dyslexia Coventry seeks to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults 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 and organisations know how to raise concerns 
• Sharing safeguarding concerns with relevant agencies when required 
• Ensuring assessment environments meet appropriate health and safety expectations 
• Promoting a culture where concerns can be raised and acted upon 

Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

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 
• Where appropriate, concerns may be discussed with: 
  • the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within a school or organisation, 
  • children’s social care, 
  • the police, 
  • or other relevant safeguarding agencies 
• Appropriate referrals will be made where necessary 
• Where an individual is believed to be at immediate risk of harm, emergency services will be contacted 

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

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

Information may be shared without consent where there is a legal or safeguarding obligation to do so.

Contact Details

Safeguarding Lead

Sarah Grainger

📞 07368 533607
📧dyslexia.coventry@gmail.com

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

NSPCC Helpline

📞 0808 800 5000
🌐 NSPCC Helpline

Policy Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation, guidance or professional requirements change.