Third party suppliers / contractors

Schools must obtain written notification from any agency, or third-party organisation they use that the organisation has carried out the checks on an individual who will be working at the school that the school would otherwise perform.   The written notification confirming the relevant vetting checks have been undertaken by the agency / contractor on the individual is often called a “letter of assurance.”   A template “letter of assurance” for use by BC schools is at the Schoolsweb.

Contractors / agency staff who work on an unsupervised basis at a school and have regular contact with children must have an Enhanced DBS Check (including a Children’s Barred List Check).  Other agency / contractors may need an Enhanced DBS Check depending upon the kind of work being undertaken and the level of supervision provided by a school.  (KCSiE 2023, paragraphs 285-288)

Under no circumstances should a contractor in respect of whom no checks have been obtained be allowed to work unsupervised or engage in regulated activity. Schools and colleges are responsible for determining the appropriate level of supervision depending on the circumstances. 

If an individual working at a school or college is self-employed, the school or college should consider obtaining the DBS check, as self-employed people are not able to make an application directly to the DBS on their own account.  

Schools and colleges should always check the identity of contractors and their staff on arrival at the school or college. (KCSiE 2023, paragraph 294)

The following check is not mandatory for inclusion on a SCR but BC recommends the check is included.