Last Updated: March 2026
Review Date: March 2027
Lingoodle is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children who use our platform. This Safeguarding Policy sets out how we protect children from harm and respond to safeguarding concerns.
This policy applies to all Lingoodle staff, tutors, contractors, and any person who interacts with children through the Lingoodle platform.
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Lauralee O'Donovan, Founder & CEO, hello@lingoodle.com
Contact: hello@lingoodle.com
The DSL is responsible for:
- Overseeing all safeguarding matters
- Receiving and acting on safeguarding concerns
- Liaising with statutory authorities where necessary
- Maintaining safeguarding records
- Ensuring all tutors are appropriately vetted and trained
Lingoodle only engages tutors based in approved Tier 1 countries where internationally recognised background checks are available:
- Ireland (Garda vetting)
- United Kingdom (DBS check)
- United States (FBI fingerprint check)
- Canada (RCMP check)
- Australia (National Police Check)
- New Zealand (Police vetting)
Tutors based in mainland China are not eligible to deliver Lingoodle sessions.
Before delivering any session, every Lingoodle tutor must:
Background checks must be renewed annually. Tutors with lapsed checks will be suspended from delivering sessions until renewal is confirmed.
All tutors must:
- Deliver sessions via Lingoodle-approved platforms (Canvas + Zoom) only
- Never communicate with children outside the Lingoodle platform
- Never request or accept personal contact details from children or families
- Maintain professional conduct at all times
- Ensure their session environment is appropriate (visible background, no third parties present)
- Report any child welfare concern immediately to the DSL
Tutors are required to:
- Use a professional, visible background
- Ensure no other adults or children are present during the session
- Conduct sessions in a suitable, well-lit environment
Parents may:
- Be present during any session at their discretion
- Request a session summary from their tutor at any time
- Contact Lingoodle at any time regarding their child's sessions
Safeguarding concerns may include:
- A child disclosing abuse or neglect
- Unexplained changes in a child's behaviour or mood
- A child appearing distressed, withdrawn, or fearful
- Inappropriate conduct by a tutor or any adult
- Any online safety concern
If a child is in immediate danger:
Contact emergency services immediately (999 in Ireland, 911 in USA, 999 in UAE).
UAE emergency contacts:
- UAE Police: 999
- UAE Ambulance / Emergency Social Services: 998
For all other concerns:
Where there is reasonable belief that a child is at risk of harm, Lingoodle will report to:
- Ireland: Tusla — Child and Family Agency
- United States: Relevant state child protective services
- UK: Local authority children's services
UAE — Mandatory Reporting under Wadeema's Law (Federal Law No. 3 of 2016, Articles 42–43)
Failure to report child welfare concerns to UAE authorities is a criminal offence carrying fines of AED 5,000–50,000. Reports must be made to:
- Dubai: Dubai Child Protection Department (Dubai Police) — 800-COCSA (800-26272), available 24/7
- Federal (all emirates): Ministry of Community Development — 998 (Hemayati platform)
- Abu Dhabi: Child Protection Centre, Abu Dhabi Police — 800-2727
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (Lauralee O'Donovan, hello@lingoodle.com) is responsible for making these reports for any UAE-based learner.
Lingoodle is committed to keeping children safe online. We:
- Do not permit recording of sessions without explicit consent
- Do not collect or store images or video of children
- Restrict platform access to verified, background-checked tutors only
- Monitor platform usage for any policy violations
- Provide parents with guidance on supporting safe online learning
Safeguarding records are maintained confidentially by the DSL. Records are shared only on a need-to-know basis and with statutory authorities where required by law. Safeguarding records are retained for a minimum of 10 years.
Any tutor or staff member found to be in breach of this policy will be:
- Immediately suspended pending investigation
- Subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination
- Reported to statutory authorities where appropriate
This policy will be reviewed annually or following any safeguarding incident. Enterprise partners will be notified of material changes.
Safeguarding concerns: hello@lingoodle.com
Emergency: Contact local emergency services immediately