7.1 Implementing Safety Protocols

• Establish expectations for tutors aligned with the legal obligations of the organization, ongoing evaluation of student safety, and adherence to program accessibility requirements.

• Protect student health and physical safety by developing site-specific protocols and a tutor safety manual that includes key procedures aligned to each context (e.g., entry/exit logistics, emergency contacts, allergy or medication policies), and regularly review and update these policies to ensure tutor adherence.

• Promote emotional safety by training tutors in relationship-building practices and professional boundaries that foster affirming, supportive environments (e.g., warm greetings, recognizing effort, respectful communication); see the Toolkit’s relationship-building resources for additional strategies.

• Establish internal reporting protocols for student safety concerns by outlining clear steps for tutors to escalate issues to program leadership (e.g., guidance on when and how to report, designated contact information, training scenarios for handling concerning situations related to student safety and/or child abuse).

• Conduct thorough background checks and personal reference checks for all tutors in the program.

• Equip tutors with clear, user-friendly instructions with deadlines for completing all safety checks (e.g., fingerprinting, background checks, training), along with detailed procedures. Ensure that all relevant records for each tutor are accurately maintained and easily accessible.

• Review safety policies for each site given their specific context.

• Codify your safety protocols in a safety manual made available to all tutors. Include items such as identifying abuse or neglect, reporting structures if there are concerns, and virtual tutoring safety. 

• Design comprehensive preservice training that clearly communicates safety protocols and expectations; include scenario-based practice and checks for understanding to ensure tutors are prepared to respond appropriately in real-world situations.

• Require employees to sign safety policies.

• Implement ongoing safety oversight by conducting regular audits to ensure fidelity to safety policies, and reviewing any incidents or concerns to inform timely updates to protocols and training.

• Adapt safety protocols to each site’s context by identifying key risks (e.g., lack of on-site staff) and reinforcing relevant procedures —such as check-in/check-out systems, communication plans for late arrivals, or emergency contacts — during tutor training and coaching.

Take the free, 15-minute, and research-based Tutoring Organization Self-Assessment. This subsection addresses these tutoring quality standards and Self-Assessment indicators.