Short answer
How to choose a private tutor: background checks in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, qualifications versus fit, trial lessons, agencies and tracking progress.
Before anything else, decide what success looks like. "Help with maths" is hard to measure. "Pass the next exam", "catch up on fractions before the new term" or "feel confident speaking French on holiday" gives you and the tutor something to plan towards, and gives you a way to tell later whether the lessons are working.
Once you know that, finding a tutor comes down to four things: safety checks, the right mix of qualifications and personality, a trial lesson, and a simple way to track progress.
Background checks by country
If the tutor will work with a child, a background check is the first filter. The system is different in each country, and in some countries it differs by state or province.
United Kingdom
In England and Wales, checks are run by the Disclosure and Barring Service, and people usually call them DBS checks. There are different levels. The enhanced check, with a check of the children's barred list, is the one designed for people who work closely with children. Scotland uses the PVG scheme run by Disclosure Scotland, and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI.
One practical point: a self-employed tutor generally cannot apply for an enhanced check on their own and needs an organisation, such as an agency or umbrella body, to request it. Some independent tutors only hold a basic check, which shows less. Ask which level they hold, when it was issued, and whether they are on the DBS Update Service, which lets a check be kept current. Ask to see the certificate itself.
United States
There is no single national check for private tutors. Requirements depend on the state and on who employs the tutor. Teachers who hold a state teaching licence will usually have gone through checks for that, and many agencies run their own background checks, but an independent tutor may have had none. Ask what check was done, by whom and how recently, and ask whether they will consent to one if they have not.
Canada
The usual check for people working with children is a vulnerable sector check, which is requested through the local police service. The process varies by province and city, and it normally needs a reason from an organisation, so independent tutors may find it harder to get. Ask whether the tutor has one and when it was issued.
Australia
Each state and territory runs its own Working With Children Check, and the name and rules differ. Queensland, for example, calls it a blue card. People who tutor children for pay are generally expected to hold one, but check the rules in your state or territory. Ask for the card or registration number and check it on the relevant state or territory website, which is usually possible online.
Wherever you live, a check is a minimum, not a guarantee. It only shows what has been recorded. Use it alongside references and your own judgement, and keep sessions in shared spaces at home or online with a parent nearby, especially at the start.
Qualifications versus fit
A strong subject background matters, especially for exam-level work. A tutor preparing a student for a final exam should know the syllabus and exam board, and ideally have taught it before. But the most qualified tutor is not always the best one for your child.
Things that often matter as much as qualifications:
- Experience with this age group. Teaching a young child to read is a different skill from teaching university-level chemistry.
- Experience with specific needs. If your child has dyslexia, ADHD or anxiety about a subject, ask directly how the tutor has handled that before.
- Explaining things more than one way. If a student does not understand the first explanation, a good tutor tries another rather than repeating the same one louder.
- Rapport. A student who likes and trusts their tutor will ask more questions and admit when they are lost.
- Reliability. Turning up on time, preparing for each session and replying to messages.
Questions worth asking in a first conversation:
- What experience do you have with this subject, level and exam board?
- How would you start with a student who is behind or has lost confidence?
- How do you plan lessons, and do you set homework?
- How will you report progress to me?
- What is your cancellation policy, on both sides?
- Can you give me a reference from another family?
Ask for a trial lesson
A trial lesson is the best test of fit. Many tutors offer a first session at a reduced rate or free, and those who do not will usually agree to a single paid session before you commit to a block.
During or after the trial, look for:
- whether the tutor spent time finding out what the student already knows
- whether the student did most of the work, or mostly watched
- whether the tutor adjusted when something was not landing
- how the student felt afterwards, asked privately
- whether the tutor gave you a clear view of where to start
Be cautious about anyone who wants a large block of sessions paid in advance before a single lesson has taken place.
Agencies versus independent tutors
| Agency | Independent tutor | |
|---|---|---|
| Finding a tutor | The agency matches you, often quickly | You search, ask around and interview yourself |
| Background checks | Often arranged by the agency, but ask what level | Depends entirely on the tutor; check yourself |
| Cost | Usually higher, as the agency takes a share | Usually lower, as the tutor keeps the full fee |
| If it does not work out | The agency can usually find a replacement | You start your search again |
| Contract | Agency terms, which may restrict hiring the tutor directly later | Agreed directly with the tutor |
Online platforms sit between the two. They make it easy to compare profiles and reviews, but they vary a lot in how much checking they do. Read what the platform actually verifies rather than assuming every tutor listed has been checked.
If you use an agency, read the terms for a clause about hiring the tutor privately later. Many agencies charge a fee if you do this, and it is better to know up front.
Put the arrangement in writing
Even for an informal arrangement, a short written agreement avoids awkward conversations later. It should cover the rate, how and when you pay, session length and frequency, where sessions happen, the cancellation notice each side must give, and what happens in school holidays. A message or email both sides agree to is better than nothing.
Track progress
Agree at the start how you will know whether tutoring is working. That might be:
- a short written update from the tutor after each session or each month
- practice papers or quizzes done at regular points
- school reports and feedback from the class teacher
- the student's own view of their confidence
Give it a fair amount of time before judging. Then, if there is no visible progress and the tutor cannot explain why or suggest a change, it is reasonable to try someone else. A good tutor will understand.
For other kinds of personal bookings, our guides to wedding photographers and hiring a DJ cover contracts and deposits in more detail.