Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) Regulations issued in November 2006 now require all overseas teachers to undergo an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check prior to starting work as a teacher in the UK. This check is in addition to having criminal clearance from your home country.
The Criminal Records Bureau was established in March 2002 and processes criminal clearance checks for all UK staff working in close contact with children and young adults. There are two levels of check but the Enhanced Check is required for all teaching staff.
The check involves the following documentation:
- a completed CRB application form
- documentary evidence of identity (via passport, birth certificate or EU identity card)
- two forms of documentary evidence of current address dated within the last three months (utility bill, credit card statement, mobile phone bill)*
- documentary evidence of marriage (marriage certificate)
* Teaching Personnel have made special arrangements to cater for candidates newly arriving in the UK who are unable to provide us with a current proof of address due to their temporary living arrangements. Please speak to your consultant for more details.
On arrival to the UK, you will be in a position to work as long as the CRB application form has been sent off and we are in receipt of your criminal clearance from your home country (see our earlier blog on getting your overseas criminal clearance).
As holders of the DCSF Quality Mark for supply agencies, Teaching Personnel have high standards in terms of vetting and recruitment. Although these may seem long winded at a first glance, schools are very aware of our stringent processes, which is why we have thousands of client schools requesting our staff. From January 1st 2007, all schools are required to have written confirmation that all the relevant checks on supply staff have been completed and this includes the new requirement for overseas candidates to have a CRB check processed. You need to ensure that you are registered with agencies that fulfil all of the required vetting to ensure that you have the best chance of securing as much work as possible.