Do you complete all checks before someone starts in a regulated activity role?

Yes, absolutely. For any role involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, we never deploy a candidate until all required pre-employment checks are completed and satisfactory. This includes Enhanced DBS with Barred List checks, references covering five years, identity and right to work verification, qualification authentication, and prohibition checks where applicable. This is non-negotiable and aligns with KCSIE requirements and safer recruitment best practice across education and public services.

How does the DBS Update Service work and should we use it?

The Update Service allows employers to check the current status of a DBS certificate online (with the certificate holder's permission). We strongly encourage candidates to register—it costs £13 annually and provides continuous monitoring. When a candidate has Update Service registration, we can verify their DBS status within 24 hours instead of applying for a new certificate. However, you still need the original certificate details and the candidate's permission to check. It's particularly valuable for supply staff who work across multiple settings.

What happens if a candidate has worked or lived overseas?

For candidates with overseas residence or employment history, we obtain police clearances from relevant countries through official channels. We also use UK ENIC to compare overseas qualifications to UK standards—this is the UK's national agency for international qualification recognition. For teachers trained overseas, we verify eligibility for UK teaching roles and support with QTS applications where needed. We also check right to work thoroughly using Home Office-approved methods, including share codes for those with visa restrictions.

What exactly goes into the SCR-ready pack you provide?

Our SCR pack includes everything you need for your Single Central Record: DBS certificate number and issue date; Barred List check confirmation; two reference summaries with direct contact verification; employment history with all gaps documented; qualification verification from awarding bodies or UK ENIC; prohibition check result (for teaching roles); right to work confirmation with document references; identity verification record with documents sighted; professional registration status; and our compliance checklist signed by the vetting team. Everything is pre-formatted and ready to transfer directly into your SCR.

How do you handle DBS certificates with disclosures?

When a DBS certificate shows disclosed information, we conduct a thorough risk assessment considering the nature of the disclosure, time elapsed, pattern of behaviour, relevance to the role, and any rehabilitation evidence. We provide you with complete transparency—full disclosure details (where legally permissible), our risk assessment summary, and professional guidance on decision-making. However, the final decision is always yours. We never place anyone with relevant unspent convictions without your explicit informed consent, and we're here to support your decision-making process throughout.

Safer Recruitment, Done Properly

Vetting & Compliance for Education and Public Services

Every file audit-ready before start for regulated activity. Our dedicated team ensures comprehensive pre-employment checks meet the highest standards across education and public sector placements.

What Sets Us Apart

In-house vetting specialists

48 hours

DBS average (last quarter)

100%

Files passed internal QA pre-start (last 12 months)

SCR-ready

Documentation packs

See Our Checks Call: 0117 422 9420

What Vetting & Compliance Covers

Operational Excellence in Pre-Employment Screening

Vetting & Compliance is where policy meets practice. Whilst our Safeguarding page outlines our principles and governance framework, this page details exactly what we check, how quickly we deliver, and what documentation you receive.

For regulated activity in education or public services, we never deploy a candidate before all required pre-employment checks are completed. Every file is audit-ready from day one, giving you complete confidence when inspectors arrive or auditors review your records.

Our nine-strong vetting team works to the tightest deadlines without cutting corners—because compliance and speed aren't mutually exclusive when you have the right systems and expertise.

Our Pre-Employment Vetting Process

Identity & Right to Work

We verify identity using multiple documents, confirm right to work in the UK via Home Office-approved methods, and validate UK ENIC comparisons for overseas qualifications. No placement proceeds without confirmed eligibility.

Enhanced DBS & Barred List Checks

Online Enhanced DBS application processed within 48 hours on average. Simultaneous checks against Children's Barred List and Adults' Barred List where applicable. We encourage Update Service registration for ongoing monitoring.

Professional References

Minimum two professional references covering the last five years. We contact referees directly with phone verification plus written confirmation, and ask specific safeguarding questions. Every employment gap is explored and documented with the candidate.

Employment History & Gaps

We verify full chronological employment history, investigate reasons for leaving previous roles, and obtain direct confirmation from institutions. Prohibition checks completed for teaching roles via the Teaching Regulation Agency.

Qualifications & Professional Bodies

Direct verification with awarding bodies and professional registers. For overseas qualifications, we use UK ENIC for comparison. Healthcare roles verified with relevant regulatory bodies. All certifications authenticated.

Final Quality Check & SCR Pack

Every file undergoes final quality assurance before release. You receive a complete SCR-ready pack including all certificates, reference summaries, verification confirmations, and our compliance checklist—everything you need for audit purposes.

Technology & Compliance Tools

Fast, secure and audit-ready

Digital DBS Portal

Online tracking shows real-time application status. Average 48-hour turnaround for standard Enhanced DBS. Secure document vault stores all certificates with encrypted access for authorised staff.

Update Service Monitoring

We track Update Service registrations (with consent) and monitor for status changes. Automatic alerts notify you 60 days before DBS expiry. Annual rechecks scheduled systematically to maintain continuous compliance.

Overseas Police Checks

We obtain police clearances from all relevant countries for candidates with overseas residence. Coordinated through official channels with proper authentication. Processing times vary by jurisdiction but we manage the entire process.

UK ENIC Verification

We use UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC), the UK's national agency for recognition and comparison of international qualifications. All overseas qualifications compared using official UK ENIC statements only.

SCR-Ready Documentation

Every placement comes with a complete Single Central Record pack. Pre-formatted for your SCR with all check dates, certificate numbers, and verification confirmations. Inspectors can trace every check instantly.

Expiry Alert System

Automated notifications 60 days before any check expires. Monthly compliance summaries highlight upcoming renewals. Our system ensures you're never caught out by expired documentation during an inspection.

Typical Turnaround Times

48 hours

Enhanced DBS (average)

12–72 hours

Complete file (typical)

24 hours

Update Service check

60 days

Advance expiry alerts

Meet the Vetting Team

Nine Specialists, One Standard: Excellence

Our dedicated vetting team of nine compliance specialists handles every check in-house. Led by Pippa Stead—our Head of Vetting & Safeguarding with over 15 years of education safeguarding experience—the team brings expertise from school leadership, HR compliance, and regulatory backgrounds.

All nine team members hold advanced safer recruitment certification and receive continuous professional development. Regular supervision, peer review, and independent auditing ensure consistency across every file we process.

When you call our vetting team, you're speaking to specialists who understand KCSIE inside out, know exactly what inspectors look for, and can guide you through any compliance query. Because education matters—and so does getting vetting right.

Contact: 0117 422 9420 (ask for the vetting team)

Vetting Resources & Guides

Download our compliance documentation and sample materials

No resources available

Check back soon for new resources

Vetting & Compliance Questions

Need a Compliant File Fast?

Our vetting team can turn around complete, audit-ready documentation in 5–7 working days for most roles. For urgent placements, speak to us about expedited processing.

Call: 0117 422 9420 View Safeguarding Policy