DBS checks for teachers: a guide
By sending their children to school, parents put the health and safety of their children into the school’s hands. Naturally, safeguarding is of the utmost importance. The DBS Check service for teachers forms a vital part of that.
We’ve put together a handy guide on DBS checks for teachers to answer any questions you may have.
Do all teachers need DBS checks?
The simple answer is yes. By the nature of their jobs, teachers come into contact with children on a daily basis, often unsupervised.
Employers should carry out DBS checks on any job applicant who will be working in a regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. Teachers fall into this category.
Schools need to ascertain whether teaching applicants are suitable to work with children, and DBS checks are an essential step in doing so.
DBS checks for teachers: what sort of check should they have?
There are three types of DBS check – standard, enhanced and enhanced with barred lists check. Teachers are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check with barred lists check.
This type of check will reveal any spent or unspent convictions, cautions or reprimands the applicant has, as well as any relevant information held by local police.
It will also show whether the applicant has been barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Will convictions or cautions prevent an individual from teaching?
Often, a criminal record will not prevent an applicant from becoming a teacher – but this depends on the nature and severity of the offence committed.
Serious convictions like murder, sexual assault, dealing Class A drugs, robbery with violence and any offence involving violence against children or vulnerable adults will usually result in an applicant being deemed unsuitable to work with children.
Minor convictions are usually not considered serious enough to prevent an applicant from teaching, but this is at the discretion of the school and its governors.
Teaching applicants should declare all convictions and cautions to the school they’re applying to – failing to do so may be grounds for summary dismissal later on.
DBS checks for teachers: a summary
Teachers are required to undergo DBS checks in order to ensure they’re suitable to work with children. Schools should organise DBS checks on behalf of teachers and teaching applicants.
uCheck is one of the UK’s leading providers of DBS checks. If you’d like to know more about DBS checks for teachers, get in touch with us today.