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Teacher Selection

Answer

A decision by an educational establishment on whether or not to appoint an individual into its workforce should take into account, in addition to a list 99 check, the standard previous employers' references, qualifications check and (in the case of teachers) General Teaching Council for England registration, as well as a criminal records check from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).Individuals who have been convicted of certain offences will be automatically barred from working with children in an education setting, under the Department's list 99. In other cases, the Secretary of State, taking advice from Sir Roger Singleton's expert panel, may decide to bar an individual convicted of other offences, even if those offences do not result in an automatic bar.Where an individual is not barred from working with children in an education setting, and following receipt of the CRB disclosure, an offer of employment is at the discretion of the employer. The Department cannot advise employers whether or not they should employ a particular person but in deciding the relevance of convictions current guidance¹ states a number of points should be considered:The nature of the offenceIn general, convictions for sexual, violent or drug offences will be particularly strong contra-indications for work with children.The nature of the appointmentOften the nature of the appointment will help to assess the relevance of the conviction. For example, serious sexual, violent, drug or drink offences would give rise to particular concern where a position was one of providing care. Driving or drink offences would be relevant in situations involving transport of children.The age of the offenceOffences which took place many years in the past may often have less relevance than recent offences. However, convictions for serious violent or sexual offences or serious offences involving substance abuse are more likely to give cause for continuing concern than, for instance, an isolated case of dishonesty committed when the person was young. The potential for rehabilitation must be weighed against the need to protect children.The frequency of the offenceA series of offences over a period of time is more likely to give cause for concern than an isolated minor conviction.The CRB has also produced guidance for employers on judging the suitability of applicants."¹‘Child Protection: Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Young Persons in the Education Service', Ref:DfES/0278/2002, issued May 2002."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

66061; 445 c1765-6W;445 c1765-6W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Vetting Teachers

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk