Community guidelinesHow we look after each other

1. Be kind

We're all here for the same reason: to give our children a good education and a good childhood. Treat everyone with respect, including people who home educate differently from you. Honest disagreement is fine; rudeness isn't.

• No bullying, harassment, threats or pile-ons.
• No hate. Comments that demean anyone because of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or marriage will be removed and the account closed.
• Talking about home education law and policy is welcome. Keep it civil, and keep party politics and campaigning elsewhere.

2. Protect children's privacy

This is the rule we care about most.

• Only post photos or videos of children you are responsible for, or whose parent has clearly said yes.
• Never post a child's full name, school, home address or anything that would let a stranger find them.
• No photos or videos of children who are undressed, in swimwear or getting changed, even your own.
• Phones store where a photo was taken. Root & Rise removes that from photos, but not from videos, so think before uploading a video filmed at home.
• Don't ask other members for details about their children beyond what they choose to share.

3. What's shared here stays here

Root & Rise is members-only so families can talk openly. Please don't copy, screenshot or share other members' posts, names, photos or meet-up details outside the app without their permission.

4. Private messages

• Messages are for getting to know other families, arranging meet-ups and asking about activities.
• Don't send messages to sell, advertise or recruit unless the person asked.
• Never ask for, or send, a child's full name, school, address or photos of someone else's child.
• If someone makes you uncomfortable, block them from the ⋯ in the chat (they aren't told) and report the chat so we can look at it.
• Meet somewhere public the first time, and tell someone where you're going.

5. Meet-ups and locations

• Only add a meet-up you run, or one whose organiser is happy for it to be listed. Don't copy meet-ups from private Facebook or WhatsApp groups without asking the organiser first.
• Give the area and a rough meeting point rather than a precise spot if you prefer; people can ask for details.
• If something changes or stops, update it or let us know so families don't turn up to nothing.
• If you sign up for a paid activity, pay on time, and still pay if you drop out late. Many are run by fellow home ed parents who aren't making a profit.

6. Real, accurate listings

• Only suggest real groups, classes and events.
• Say if you run it or are paid by it.
• Give honest prices, ages and times, and say if something is drop-off.
• "I've been here" means you have actually been.

7. Businesses and providers

Tutors, clubs, settings and anyone offering something to home educators are welcome to list what they offer.

• One promotional post a week at most, and keep it relevant to home education.
• Don't message members to sell to them unless they asked.
• Members buy from providers at their own risk; Root & Rise doesn't check or endorse providers.
• Selling second-hand educational books, games and resources is fine. Payment and delivery are between buyer and seller.

8. Keep yourself and your children safe

Nobody vets the groups and providers listed here, so please do your own checks before leaving a child with anyone. Good questions to ask:

• Can I see your DBS check, insurance and first aid certificate?
• Do you have a safeguarding policy, and who is your safeguarding lead? If you're Ofsted registered, where is your report?
• Can my child try a session with me there first?
• Can I talk to other parents who use you?

Trust your instincts and your child's. A good provider won't mind any of these questions. When meeting members you don't know, meet somewhere public for the first time.

9. Reporting

Every post, comment, photo and listing has a ⋯ menu with Report. Reports are private. When two different members report the same thing, it is hidden straight away until we've looked at it.

You can also email info@rootandrisebath.co.uk. If you think a child is in danger, call 999. If you're worried about a child's welfare, contact the children's services team at your local council, or the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

10. If the guidelines are broken

We may remove content, hide it while we look, warn you, or suspend or close your account, depending on how serious it is. Anything illegal, and anything that puts a child at risk, is removed and the account closed, and we may tell the police or the council. If you think we got it wrong, email us and we'll look again.