Schools must ensure that individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK undergo the same pre-employment checks as all other staff, including an enhanced DBS check where required. As DBS checks only cover information held in the UK, additional overseas checks may also be necessary.

What is a Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC)?

If an applicant has lived abroad for six months or more within the last five years, schools should seek a Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC), or equivalent criminal record check, from the relevant country or countries.

Obtaining a Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC) is part of the safer recruitment policy operated by Buckinghamshire Council.

As a DBS Check only includes offences committed within the UK, if an applicant has lived abroad for 6 months or longer in the last 5 years, a CGC is also required.

Where a CGC or equivalent check cannot be obtained despite reasonable efforts, schools should consider alternative evidence, such as a Declaration of Overseas Criminal History completed by the applicant. and undertake a risk assessment to support an informed recruitment decision.

How to obtain a CGC

Information for applicants who need to obtain a CGC is available on the gov.uk website.

When a CGC is received

On receipt of a CGC or a Declaration, the eDBS system will be updated, and the automated clearance email will be triggered. 

A copy of the CGC and/or Declaration will be placed on the personnel file of an applicant (where held by us).

Other overseas checks

Schools should also consider obtaining overseas employment references and, where appropriate, carrying out additional checks to assess suitability to work with children.

For teaching positions, schools should request confirmation from the relevant professional regulatory authority in the country where the applicant has worked that no sanctions, restrictions, or concerns regarding their suitability to teach have been identified.

For full guidance, please refer to the Keeping Children Safe in Education paragraphs 357-361 “Individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK”