Safer working practice

It is vital that schools adopt recruitment and selection procedures and other human resources management processes that help to deter, reject or identify people who might abuse children, or are otherwise unsuited to work with them.

It is also crucial that everyone working in a school is:

aware of safeguarding issues and the need to adopt ways of working and appropriate practice to help reduce allegation
able to raise concerns about what seems to be poor or unsafe practice by colleagues and that those concerns, and concerns expressed by children, parents or others are listened to and taken seriously

CRB checks
CRB guidance (Ofsted requirements), code of practice, manual and guidance on employing ex-offenders. All employees in schools are subject to checks by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Full recruitment and selection guidance (pdf)
Full guidance document - includes information on safeguarding.

GTC online checking service for teachers status (pdf)
How to obtain online employer access to the General Teaching Council (GTC)'s free online checking service. This service lets you check the registration, qualification and restriction status of all teachers. You can use the service to also access the GTC record of disciplinary decisions.

LA staff visiting schools
Confirmation that Ealing Council social workes have been subject to an enhanced CRB check.

List 99 checks
Information and resources on the list, maintained by the DCSF, which contains the details of those who are considered unsuitable or banned from working with children. A List 99 check is not a replacement for a CRB check, but is considered to be the absolute minimum a person working with children must have.

Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education (pdf)
DCSF guidance from January 2007.

Safer recruitment and selection (word)
Brief on safer recruitment processes and training.

Safer recruitment training (CWDC website)
Safer recruitment online and face-to-face training and resources from the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC).

Safer working practice (word)
Guidance for safer working practice for adults who work with children and young people (DCSF, January 2009).

Single central record
All schools should have a single central record of recruitment, as recommended by the Department for Education. You should use it to log all safer recruitment checks, including details of List 99 or CRB checks.