Home Alone Guide for Learners, Parents & Guardians

Last Reviewed: May 2025

Next Review Date: September 2025

Home Alone Guide for Learners

You’re about to learn from home on your own, and that’s okay! This guide is here to help you stay safe, confident, and know what to do if anything feels wrong. You are never truly alone, your teachers, parents, and trusted adults are just a message or call away.

1. What It Means to Learn Alone

Being home alone during lessons means there’s no adult in the house with you. That’s why it’s extra important to know the rules, stay in a safe space, and speak up if you’re unsure or worried about anything.

2. How to Stay Safe

Stay in your learning space during lessons.
Don’t answer the door to anyone you don’t know.
Keep your phone, tablet, or laptop nearby. Make sure you know the contact details of a trusted adult.
Don’t leave the house unless you’ve told a trusted adult.
If something feels wrong, say something to your teacher straight away.

3. Who to Call if You Need Help

If you feel scared, unsafe, or something happens:

Call your parent or carer.
Tell your Purple Ruler teacher (you can use the chat if you don’t want to speak).
Call someone you trust at your school.
In an emergency, call 999 for the police, ambulance, or fire service.
If it’s not an emergency but you feel worried or sad, you can also contact Childline: 0800 1111 (free, private, and confidential).

You have the right to feel safe and respected. If you ever feel unsure, lonely, or afraid while learning from home, please speak up. We will always listen.

4. Final Tips

Keep emergency contact numbers somewhere you can see them.
Always tell someone where you are.

Home Alone Guide for Parents & Carers

1. Why This Guide Matters

Your child has been approved to access our online provision from home without an adult present. This guide provides a summary of your responsibilities and how we can work together to ensure your child remains safe, supported, and engaged.

2. Supervision Risk Summary

A home-alone arrangement is considered a higher-risk setup under our safeguarding policy. This decision has been reviewed and approved by our DSL team and your child’s school DSL. Ongoing monitoring will continue to ensure suitability.

3. What We Ask of You

Ensure your child has a safe, private, and quiet space for learning.
Provide a working device with internet access.
Keep a phone or landline accessible to the child.
Make sure your child knows how to contact you or another adult if needed.
Teach them how and when to call 999 in emergencies.
Ensure that your home environment is secure and free from foreseeable risks such as break-ins, fire hazards, or other safety concerns.
Ensure you have spoken to your child about what to do if those emergencies happen.
Ensure that your child is both emotionally and physically capable of working independently without supervision. Maintain regular check-ins with them to confirm they remain comfortable and willing to continue with this arrangement.

4. Emergency Contact Requirements

Provide two emergency contacts who are available during your child’s learning hours.
Inform us immediately if your contact information or availability changes.

5. Signs to Watch For

Keep an eye out for changes in behaviour such as:

Avoiding or refusing to join lessons.
Expressing fear or anxiety about being home alone.
Withdrawal, irritability, or excessive tiredness.
Any comments about feeling unsafe.

If you notice any of these, contact your child’s commissioning body or Purple Ruler’s safeguarding team.

6. Staying Connected

You can reach our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) team anytime for questions or concerns.
We will alert you immediately if any safeguarding concern arises during a session.

Thank you for partnering with us to make sure your child is safe and successful while learning from home.