Written question asked by Debra Shipley (Labour) on Wednesday, 31 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 May 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Thursday, 6 May 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what restrictions there are on convicted child abusers working (a) as private tutors and (b) in private schools.

Answer: Ms Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what restrictions there are on convicted child abusers working (a) as private tutors and (b) in private schools. [165944] Margaret Hodge: My Department's guidance to employers in the education service makes it clear that thorough checks should be carried out on all people who are appointed to work with children, including people who are employed as private tutors by agencies, and people who work in private schools. We recommend that employers check a person's identity, academic qualifications, professional and character references, previous employment history, criminal record, List 99 status, health, and in the case of teachers, whether they are registered with the General Teaching Council. Parents and other individuals are not able to obtain criminal record or List 99 checks on self-employed private tutors, but can safeguard against employing a convicted child abuser by engaging a private tutor through a tuition agency.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 420 c1747W; 165944
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Children Criminal records Abuse Employment Protection Private education Teachers
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk