Safeguarding is non-negotiable.
At MusicTeacher.com, safeguarding is a core part of maintaining a trusted and professional teacher registry. This page explains how safeguarding works on the platform, what our safeguarding labels mean, and what teachers are required to provide.
What the safeguarding labels mean
You may see one of the following safeguarding labels on a teacher’s profile.
- •The teacher has submitted a valid safeguarding certificate.
- •The document has been reviewed by MusicTeacher.com.
- •The check was issued within the last three years at the time of submission, or the teacher is registered with an official update service (such as the DBS Update Service).
- •The teacher has not submitted safeguarding documentation.
- •MusicTeacher.com has not reviewed a safeguarding certificate for this teacher.
A note for parents and students
Safeguarding labels are designed to provide clear, visible information, support informed choices when selecting a teacher, and reflect whether safeguarding documentation has been reviewed on the platform.
- • Request to see a copy of a teacher’s safeguarding check directly, particularly when arranging lessons for children or young people.
- • Read teacher profiles carefully.
- • Ask teachers questions if needed.
- • Consider safeguarding status alongside qualifications, experience, and teaching approach.
- • Safeguarding labels help you compare quickly.
- • They don’t replace your own checks and conversations.
- • Good teachers will welcome sensible questions about safety and boundaries.
Safeguarding requirements
Safeguarding refers to the measures taken to protect children and vulnerable people from harm, abuse, or neglect.
What it typically includes for private music teachers
- • An appropriate criminal record check
- • A professional commitment to safe teaching practices
- • Regular review and renewal of safeguarding documentation
MusicTeacher.com reviews safeguarding documentation as part of its professional standards. While teachers can appear in the registry without submitting safeguarding documentation, we strongly encourage all professional music teachers to hold a valid safeguarding check and to submit it for review.
- • The check was issued within the last three years at the time of submission, or the teacher is actively registered with a recognised update service (such as the DBS Update Service); and
- • The documentation has been reviewed and approved by MusicTeacher.com.
Safeguarding documentation is reviewed annually as part of ongoing profile review.
Which safeguarding check do I need?
The required safeguarding check depends on where you are based in the UK.
| Jurisdiction | Requirement |
|---|---|
| England & Wales | Enhanced DBS Check – Issued within the last 3 years |
| Northern Ireland | Access NI – Issued within the last 3 years |
| Scotland | PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) Scheme membership |
| Rest of the World | Not applicable – safeguarding documentation is not currently reviewed for teachers based outside the UK |
Safeguarding checks are retrospective — they show information up to the date they were issued. For this reason, MusicTeacher.com only accepts checks issued within the last 3 years, documentation is reviewed annually, and teachers are encouraged to keep records up to date.
This approach reflects common practice across schools, exam boards, and education providers.
We’re happy to help.
If you have a question or concern, please email us at info@musicteacher.com.