Pre-employment screening and DBS checks for schools and education providers
Safeguarding children is a legal duty, not just best practice. Every school, college, and education provider in England must ensure that anyone working with or near children whether employed, contracted, or volunteering has been properly vetted before they start.
Eurocom CI provides fully compliant pre-employment screening for the education sector, aligned with the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) statutory guidance and the requirements of Ofsted, the DfE, and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
What does the law require for education sector screening?
Schools and education providers in England must follow several pieces of statutory guidance and legislation when recruiting staff:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) - updated annually by the DfE, this is the primary statutory guidance governing safer recruitment in schools. It sets out which checks are mandatory and how they must be recorded.
- The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 - establishes the barred list system and defines regulated activity in relation to children.
- The School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009 - covers maintained schools' obligations around pre-appointment checks.
- The Independent School Standards Regulations 2014 - applies to independent schools and academies.
Failure to comply with these requirements can result in enforcement action by Ofsted or the ISI and, more critically, put children at risk.
What Eurocom CI education sector screening includes:
Confirmation of identity: Verifying the applicant's identity documents in line with DBS requirements
Confirmation of current address: Ensuring address history is accurate and consistent
Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list: Mandatory for all roles in regulated activity in schools
Professional qualification verification: confirming teaching qualifications and registration with the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)
Professional membership check:Â verifying membership of relevant professional bodies where applicable
Right to work in the UK: confirming legal eligibility to work, in line with Home Office requirements
Employment history (minimum 5 years): References obtained and chased to cover a full 5-year period
Gap referencing: Any unexplained gaps of 31 days or more are investigated and accounted for
1 character reference: Obtained as part of the safer recruitment process
Sanctions search (Bank of England): Checking against the HM Treasury Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets
The Single Central Record (SCR)
(SCR). The SCR is a register of pre-appointment checks carried out on every member of staff, contractor, and regular volunteer.
Ofsted and ISI inspectors routinely examine the SCR as part of their inspection framework. An incomplete or inaccurate SCR is one of the most common safeguarding failures identified during inspections.
Eurocom CI provides clear, downloadable screening certificates and reports on completion of each check, making it straightforward for your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or HR team to maintain an up-to-date SCR.
Supply teachers and agency staff
Supply teachers, cover supervisors, and other agency-supplied staff working in schools must be screened to the same standard as directly employed staff. Under KCSiE, the school retains responsibility for ensuring that appropriate checks have been carried out, even when staff are sourced through an agency.
Eurocom CI works with both schools and education staffing agencies to ensure all checks are completed, documented, and accessible in real time through our Xavier platform.
Overseas applicants and international checks
Where a candidate has lived or worked outside the UK, a UK DBS check alone is not sufficient. KCSiE requires schools to obtain a criminal record check from every country where the applicant has lived or worked for 12 months or more.
Eurocom CI's international criminal record check service covers over 200 countries, giving you a single point of contact for all overseas screening requirements.
The DBS Update Service for education employers
The DBS Update Service allows schools and education providers to carry out instant online checks on existing DBS certificates, without having to apply for a new check each time a member of staff joins. This is particularly useful for supply teachers and staff who move between schools.
Eurocom CI can help register your staff on the Update Service as part of the initial screening process, saving time and cost on future appointments.
Why us?
No sign-up fees or ongoing costs: You only pay for the checks you need
~48-hour turnaround: Minimising delays to your recruitment process
References chased automatically and by real people: Our team follows up so you don't have to
Every screening reviewed by 3 separate team members: Reducing the risk of errors or missed flags
Free software demonstrations: See exactly how the platform works before you commit
Xavier, our proprietary screening platform: A user-friendly system built specifically for employers, with real-time candidate tracking
First-class customer service: a friendly, knowledgeable team available to answer your questions
Screening certificate and report available to download when completed
Frequently Asked Questions
What DBS check level is required for school staff?
All staff in schools who work in regulated activity which includes most teaching and support roles require an Enhanced DBS check with a children's barred list check. This is the highest level of DBS check available. Staff who are not in regulated activity (for example, those who only work on the premises occasionally and are always supervised) may only require a Standard DBS check. If in doubt, Eurocom CI can advise on the correct level for each role.
Do volunteers in schools need a DBS check?
Yes, in most cases. Regular volunteers who work unsupervised with children are in regulated activity and require an Enhanced DBS check with barred list. Occasional volunteers who are always supervised may not require a DBS check, but the decision must be made and documented by the school's designated safeguarding lead as part of a risk assessment.
What checks are required for supply teachers?
Supply teachers must be screened to the same standard as permanent staff. Under KCSiE, schools must ensure that any agency supplying staff has confirmed that the required checks including an Enhanced DBS have been completed. Schools should verify this themselves and record it in their SCR.
Do overseas teachers need additional checks beyond a DBS?
Yes. A UK DBS check only covers UK criminal records. KCSiE requires schools to obtain a criminal record check from every country where the applicant has lived or worked for 12 months or more during the past 10 years. Eurocom CI can manage international criminal record checks for candidates from over 200 countries.
What is the Single Central Record and who is responsible for it?
The Single Central Record (SCR) is a legally required register of pre-appointment checks carried out on all staff, contractors, and regular volunteers at a school. The headteacher and governing body are ultimately responsible for ensuring it is accurate and up to date. Ofsted and ISI inspectors examine the SCR during inspections. Eurocom CI provides downloadable certificates and reports to make maintaining your SCR straightforward.
Can Eurocom CI handle screening for multi-academy trusts or large education groups?
Yes. Our e-Bulk DBS service is designed for high-volume education employers. Multi-academy trusts (MATs), education staffing agencies, and independent school groups can manage multiple checks simultaneously through our Xavier platform, with a single dashboard for all sites.
