SAFEGUARDING & COMPLIANCE
Safe Recruitment is Our Foundation
Last updated: July 2026
Safeguarding is not a checkbox — it is the foundation of every decision we make. At Teach UK Recruitment, we work to the highest standards of safer recruitment, supporting schools through every stage of the vetting process to ensure that every educator we introduce is fully compliant and prepared to uphold the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
1. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Teach UK Recruitment has a named Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for overseeing all safeguarding matters:
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Alistair Wery
Email: Safeguarding@TeachUKrecruitment.co.uk
The DSL ensures all safer recruitment processes are followed and that concerns are escalated appropriately.
2. Identity & Right‑to‑Work Verification
The school, as employer, carries out identity and right-to-work checks in strict accordance with Home Office regulations. We support this process by coordinating documentation and liaising between candidate and school.
3. Enhanced DBS & Barred List Checks
The school completes an Enhanced DBS certificate and Children's Barred List check for every educator before placement. We help coordinate timelines and paperwork throughout.
4. Overseas Criminal Record Checks (Where Available)
Where a candidate has lived or worked overseas, we guide them through obtaining an overseas police certificate where available under that country's laws and processes. Where this isn't possible, we help the school gather:
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documentation of why it's unavailable
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additional professional references
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enhanced safeguarding interview notes
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online and social media screening
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confirmation that all UK checks (DBS, Barred List, RTW) are complete
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This approach aligns with KCSIE and DfE Safer Recruitment Guidance, which recognise that overseas checks aren't always obtainable.
5. Professional Reference Audits
The school obtains at least two professional references, including the most recent employer, verifying suitability to work with children and any conduct or safeguarding concerns. We support this process by helping coordinate contact with referees.
6. Qualification & QTS Validation
We help verify teaching qualifications and professional memberships, including checking QTS, induction status and any sanctions via the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) portal for UK-trained teachers, and supporting equivalency checks for international teachers.
7. Gaps in Employment Analysis
We conduct a full career history review with each candidate and help the school explore any employment gaps, supported by evidence where possible.
8. Medical Fitness Self‑Declaration
In line with KCSIE, all educators confirm their physical and mental fitness to teach as part of the school's recruitment process.
9. Online Presence & Social Media Screening
We conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates to flag any publicly available information suggesting unsuitability to work with children, reputational risk, or professional conduct concerns — a KCSIE-recommended safer recruitment step.
10. Safeguarding & Prevent Training Verification
We ask candidates to confirm they've completed up-to-date Safeguarding and Prevent Duty training, and can point them toward accredited providers if refresher training is needed.
11. Ongoing Monitoring & Re‑Verification
Safeguarding is continuous. We help schools track DBS Update Service status and right-to-work confirmation ahead of each placement.
12. Vetting Confirmation Reports (SCR‑Ready)
Before any placement begins, we help compile a clear summary of the school's completed checks, to support their Single Central Record requirements.
13. Safeguarding Allegations & Reporting
Any safeguarding concern or allegation is treated as a priority. We will:
- Immediately inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Follow KCSIE Part 4 procedures
- Escalate to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where required
- Suspend or withdraw candidates from placements if necessary
- Cooperate fully with investigations
14. Information Sharing & Record Keeping
We store all vetting and safeguarding records securely in line with:
- UK GDPR
- Data Protection Act 2018
- KCSIE retention requirements
- Records are retained for the legally required period and shared only with authorised parties.
15. Reporting Concerns
If you have a safeguarding concern relating to a candidate or a member of staff, contact: safeguarding@teachukrecruitment.co.uk. We take all concerns seriously and respond promptly.
16. Review of This Statement
We review this Safeguarding & Compliance Statement regularly and whenever statutory guidance changes to ensure it remains current and effective.
Recruitment Standards
Enhanced DBS
Mandatory Enhanced DBS certificates verified via the Update Service for every placement.
Multi-Employer References
Minimum of two professional references including the most recent employer, rigorously verified.
RTW Verification
Full right-to-work checks in accordance with Home Office regulations and IDSP validation.
Safeguarding & Prevent Training
We verify that every educator has up‑to‑date Safeguarding and Prevent training in line with current guidance.
Compliance Standards
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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
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DfE Safer Recruitment Guidance
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Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Regulations
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Home Office Right‑to‑Work Requirements
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UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018
Insurance & Professional Protection
Teach UK Recruitment maintains full Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Employers’ Liability and Cyber Insurance through Hiscox. As a key partner for schools and MATs, we ensure that every placement is backed by robust coverage. Detailed evidence of our insurance portfolio is available to schools, MATs and local authorities proactively or upon request.