Chelmsford Tutors – Code Of Ethics

In October 2013 The Tutors’ Association (TA) was set up to regulate the tuition industry. Chelmsford Tutors submitted documentation and other information for inspection and was accepted as one of the first Corporate Members. This means that Chelmsford Tutors abides by the TTA rules for tuition agencies, that tutors have been recruited following correct procedures and that the Agency and tutors work in a professional manner.

On our acceptance to Corporate Membership the TTA stated: “The depth of your application is very impressive and informative. I am delighted to see such thorough quality control and professionalism from you and Chelmsford Tutors.”

Tutors have signed the following document:

Code of ethics for tutors;

1. I understand that my role as a tutor is to encourage and enable pupils to achieve their unique potential as independent learners through acknowledgement, encouragement, understanding, and personalised attention.
2. I will be careful to avoid creating any unhealthy dependencies by suggesting a need for tutoring where no such need exists; reporting in a manner that explicitly or implicitly suggests a need for further on-going tutoring or engaging in any practice that undermines the independent learning of pupils.
3. I will not engage in any form of plagiarism, such as completing pupils’ homework assignments for them.
4. I will demonstrate faith in my pupils’ learning ability and provide honest, positive and constructive feedback.
5. I understand the need to be flexible in my approach to tutoring to assist my pupils in discovering effective learning strategies.
6. I undertake to keep up-to-date with advances in subject knowledge and pedagogy.
7. I undertake to comply with the Association’s Child Protection Policy.
8. I am committed to identifying any particular challenges or difficulties my pupils might have with their learning and to assisting them in overcoming those barriers.
9. I will share with my client any concerns I have about pupils’ social, emotional and behavioural difficulties that are beyond my competency to address.
10. I will identify to my client any special educational needs that are beyond my experience or ability to resolve, in order that they may secure for them the right kind of specialist help.
11. Any referrals I make will come with full disclosure of any personal or material interest.
12. I understand that my relationship to my pupils is professional and not personal and that I have a duty of care towards them.
13. I will keep information about the pupil whom I am assigned confidential, unless doing so would be to result in injury or harm being done to them.
14. I will show respect for my pupils’ cultural background, personal dignity and values.
15. I will maintain accurate records of tutoring sessions as expected and required.
16. In situations where I am working for a tutoring company, I will respect the terms and conditions of my contract, and in particular, will not seek to provide educational services to pupils I have been introduced to in this way independently of the company.

Chelmsford Tutors have signed the following document which is displayed at their place of business:

Code of professional practice for tutoring companies Corporate members:

1. Shall conduct their business at all times in such a way as to bring credit to the tutoring profession and to the Association.
2. Shall take no action that deliberately injures the business, reputation, or interest of fellow member organisations, other than activities accepted as normal competitive business practice.
3. Shall, at all times, act honestly in their professional dealings with clients (actual and potential), and employees.
4. Shall not, knowingly or recklessly, disseminate any false or misleading information, either on their behalf or on behalf of anyone else.
5. Shall keep up to date with developments in tutoring pedagogy and practice, curriculum and qualifications in order that they might diligently support the professional practice of tutoring.
6. Shall respect the confidentiality of all business information which comes into their possession, except from those persons entitled to receive it and unless it is illegal to do so.
7. Shall promote and seek business in a professional and ethical manner, being careful to avoid creating any unhealthy dependencies by suggesting a need for tutoring where no such need exists; accurately informing prospective clients as to the level of qualification and experience of tutors assigned them, and their location; and giving them a clear understanding of the workings of any assessment tools used.
8. Shall not claim the Association’s endorsement in connection with any activity unless it has its prior written approval to do so.
9. Shall have regard for, and comply with, all the relevant laws of the country in which they are operating.
10. Shall observe this Code as it may be expanded and annotated and published from time to time and brought to their attention in TTA communications by the Ethics Committee.