Kingsbridge SCITT

The first update relates to trainee teachers DBS certificates.

Where previously DfE advice was that schools should not expect to see copies of a trainee’s DBS checks, there was nothing to prevent them from requesting to see them and that trainees could, if they were willing, share the information. 

The updated guidance significantly strengthens this position and allows schools to turn away a trainee who refuses to present their certificate.

It should be noted that the requirement is for the trainee themselves to present the certificate and providers should not do so on their behalf.

The second point is that colleagues visiting schools in a professional capacity such as visiting tutors, need to have the appropriate DBS checks in place.

Kingsbridge EIP SCITT already require this of all colleagues, the guidance had previously suggested that as long as they were supervised, there were circumstances in which colleagues without certificates may be permitted to enter schools. If you are aware of any colleagues who visit trainees in a professional capacity who do not have an DBS certificate, for compliance reasons you will need to action this change with immediate effect.

The full message received from DfE is below.

As you will be aware schools and colleges are under a legislative duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and must have regard to Keeping children safe in education statutory guidance. 

Whilst it is the responsibility of the initial teacher training provider to carry out the necessary checks where trainee teachers are fee-funded (paragraph 297 KCSIE 2022), many schools and colleges have for many years routinely requested DBS certificates from individuals, to satisfy themselves that they are meeting its wider statutory safeguarding obligations. 

Schools and colleges are legally entitled to and can insist to see a student’s DBS certificate if they wish to do so. In most cases this will mean that the individual will need to be prepared to present their certificate on request. If an individual is unwilling to do so, the school or college is legally permitted to turn them away (without further reason). 

For visiting university {sic} tutors’ schools and colleges should apply the guidance set out at paragraph 302 of KCSIE 2022 which states: “For visitors who are there in a professional capacity schools and colleges should check ID and be assured that the visitor has had the appropriate DBS check (or the visitor’s employers have confirmed that their staff have appropriate checks. Schools and colleges should not ask to see the certificate in these circumstances).” The fact that they are accompanied or ‘supervised’ is not relevant to these checks. But that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t also be supervised, as paragraph 301 (KCSIE 2022) states “Headteachers and principals should use their professional judgement about the need to escort or supervise such visitors.”

Information about the retention of documents including copies of DBS certificates can be found at paragraphs 276-278 (KCSIE 2022).