Safeguarding and safer recruitment policy

Materact is committed to supporting the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection. Although Materact operates as an educational technology provider rather than a school, the Platform may be used by students, including minors.

In some situations, Materact team members may assist with school-led onboarding sessions involving students. Because of this, the Company aims to maintain a safe digital and professional environment and support schools in fulfilling their safeguarding responsibilities.

Materact also ensures that all employees and collaborators understand and follow appropriate standards of conduct when interacting with schools or student data.

1. Introduction

Materact is committed to safeguarding and protecting students who may interact with the Platform.

While Materact does not act as an educational institution, the Company recognises its responsibility to maintain professional standards and contribute to a safe environment when working with schools and students.

This includes ensuring that individuals engaged by Materact — including employees and contractors — understand the expectations for responsible conduct when working with educational institutions.

2. Scope

This policy describes the safeguarding standards Materact follows internally and encourages among collaborators who may come into contact with:

• students
• school staff
• student data

The policy also outlines how Materact approaches recruitment and engagement of individuals in a way that promotes a safe and professional environment.

It applies to both:

• the digital use of the Platform, and
• occasional live interactions with schools, such as onboarding sessions.

3. Safeguarding approach

Materact aims to align its practices with the safeguarding expectations of the schools it works with.

This includes:

• Providing a Platform that is free from harmful or inappropriate content
• Ensuring that student interactions occur under the supervision of school staff
• Protecting student data in accordance with GDPR and school data agreements
• Cooperating with the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) when concerns arise
• Responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns reported to the Company

4. Safer recruitment approach

Materact seeks to engage individuals who demonstrate professional conduct and understand the responsibilities associated with working with educational institutions.

Recruitment principles

When evaluating candidates or collaborators, Materact considers whether the role involves contact with schools or access to student data and assesses safeguarding relevance accordingly.

Pre-engagement measures

For roles involving access to schools or student data, Materact may:

• request references or previous work history
• verify identity and right to work
• request or support DBS checks or equivalent background checks, where appropriate
• require signing of confidentiality and conduct agreements

Awareness and training

All Materact staff receive guidance during onboarding regarding:

• data handling responsibilities
• appropriate professional conduct
• safeguarding principles

Employees working directly with schools may receive additional guidance related to operating in educational environments.

5. Safeguarding in practice

Supervised interactions

Live sessions involving students — such as onboarding sessions — are conducted with school staff present.

Materact team members do not engage in unsupervised conversations with students.

Professional conduct

Materact staff and collaborators are expected to maintain professional behaviour at all times. This includes:

• communicating respectfully
• avoiding the sharing of personal contact information
• keeping all interaction focused on platform-related support
• following safeguarding guidelines provided by the school

Technology use

When conducting sessions or providing support:

• shared materials are prepared to be age-appropriate
• screen sharing avoids unrelated or personal content
• sessions are conducted using secure and approved tools

Data protection

Student data is handled carefully and only accessed when necessary to provide the service.

Materact:

• stores data securely in accordance with GDPR
• only processes data required for the agreed service
• does not retain student data beyond what is agreed with the school

Escalation protocols

If a safeguarding concern arises during a session or is reported to Materact, the Company will:

1. notify the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
2. follow the school’s guidance on next steps
3. document the concern internally when appropriate

6. Contact

If you wish to raise a safeguarding concern or request additional information, please contact:

info@materact.com

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