Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 will introduce a new vetting and barring scheme for all those working with children and young people from 2008. Ahead of the new scheme, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills announced in June 2006 that regulations would be tightened and new guidance introduced to clarify responsibilities for safer recruitment.

This guidance document is a consolidated version of earlier guidance material. It looks at the recruitment and selection processes, recruitment and vetting checks, and duties for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in education.

This publication also looks at dealing with allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff.

Schools can also read a letter from Beverley Hughes, the Minister for Children, Young People and Families and Jim Knight, Minister for Schools and 14-19 Learners, on the Teachernet safer recruitment page by following the link below. The letter gives context to the guidance and why all schools should have a copy of this important publication.

Please note, this document came into force January 2007.

Visit TeacherNet for more information