Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Monday, 16 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 January 2006. It was answered by Ruth Kelly (Labour) on Thursday, 19 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Local Education Authorities

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her most recent advice to local education authorities is on the employment of individuals before all (a) Criminal Records Bureau and (b) other character checks are completed; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Our guidance note ‘Child Protection: Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Young Persons in the Education Service' gives comprehensive advice on the full range of pre-employment checks that local authorities ought to make before employing and individual. Supplementary advice relating to Criminal Records Bureau disclosures is provided in the guidance note ‘Criminal Records Bureau:Managing the Demand for Disclosures'. Both documents can be found on the DfES website at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id= 2172 and http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?ID=3334

Secondary information