The school staffing (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2006: questions and answers
What do these amended regulations mean for school staff?
Previously, enhanced CRB checks were strongly advised. These checks
are now mandatory for all new appointments to the schools workforce. This
includes caretakers, dinner ladies, and school administration staff. In
addition, regular volunteers should also be checked.
Are you producing updated guidance for
schools?
We are in the process of producing updated guidance and will notify
you when this is available. In the meantime, existing guidance remains
effective, with the exception that where existing guidance recommends CRB
checks, these are now mandatory.
Where will I find the existing guidance?
Follow the links below for more information:
Is there updated guidance for schools?
The DCSF guidance on safer recruitment is contained in Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education
which is available to download.
What about volunteers?
Not all volunteers need to be CRB checked, for example, those
volunteering for one-off trips, as we would not expect them to be left
unsupervised in charge of children. It is expected CRB checks for
those volunteers who work at the school on a regular basis. More
information about volunteers can be found in Chapter 4 of Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in
Education.
What about tradespersons?
We would not expect a person attending the school on a
"one-off" basis to be checked — e.g. an electrician making
repairs. However, we would not expect that they would be allowed to walk around
the school unaccompanied.
And School Governors?
We would expect those whose voluntary work involves contact with
pupils, or who regularly work, or volunteers in the school to get a
disclosure. Further advice on governors can be found here.
We have a breakfast and after-school club. Do
staff in these need CRB Disclosures?
Yes, you need to be satisfied that appropriate checks have been
carried out on these staff, including CRB checks.
Last updated: 23 February 2009
