Teachers were subjected to several checks when applying for a role in the past. One of these checks was known as a List 99 Check and was managed by the Department of Education and Skills.
Although the term List 99 Check is still used, the check carried out is different. However, those wanting to carry out a detailed background before offering a teacher a position can be confident that the background check carried out meets the same standards as List 99 and provide schools with the relevant information.
What Is List 99 Check Called Now?
List 99 was originally limited to those in the education sector. However, since merging the Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority, the name of List 99 was changed to the Barred List.
There are two Barred Lists. One for children and one for vulnerable adults. In the case of teachers, it will be the Children’s Barred List that is checked. So, although teachers no longer need a List 99 Check, they will require an Enhanced DBS Check.
What Is an Enhanced DBS Check?
DBS Checks are carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service and are available in three iterations. An Enhanced DBS Check is the highest level and will include checking a person’s name against the Children’s Barred List.
What Does an Enhanced DBS Disclosure Show?
In addition to checking the Barred Lists, an Enhanced DBS Disclosure will also show details of spent and unspent convictions and any warnings or reprimands held on the Police National Computer.
What Information is Needed for an Enhanced DBS Check?
The information needed for an Enhanced DBS Check is the same as List 99. As such, those applying for teaching roles will need to supply their name, address and date of birth. They will also need to provide photographic identification in the form of a passport or driving licence.
How Long Does a Background Check Take for a Teacher?
There can be several factors that affect the competition time of a certificate, but a Enhanced DBS Check can take several weeks to complete.
To speed up the process, schools and institutions should ensure the correct details and documentation is obtained in the first instance. However, there are options available to those wanting to fast track an Enhanced DBS Check.
Why Should Schools Use an External Background Check Company?
Although schools and colleges can apply directly to the Disclosure and Barring Service for an Enhanced DBS Check, they can take up to several weeks to process, which can be problematic when several background checks need to be carried out.
Fortunately, employing the services of an external agency ensures results of a background check can be obtained within the hour, and schools will receive a hard copy of the completed certificate within 14 days.
School administration can also be streamlined when using an external DBS Check company, as all completed certificates can be viewed in the cloud, which is fully encrypted to ensure data protection is always retained.
