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

For roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, we work to ensure that the appropriate pre-employment checks are completed in line with statutory guidance. These typically include an Enhanced DBS (with barred list checks where required), identity and right to work verification, qualification checks, and prohibition checks where applicable. This approach aligns with KCSIE and safer recruitment standards 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 £16 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 within the last five years, we obtain police clearances from relevant countries through official channels. 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, prohibition check result (for teaching roles), right to work confirmation with document references and identity verification record with documents sighted.

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.

Recruit Safely. Appoint with Confidence.

Vetting & Compliance for Education and Public Services

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. No placement proceeds without confirmed eligibility.

Enhanced DBS & Barred List Checks

Online Enhanced DBS applications are submitted promptly once eligibility checks are complete. Where required for the role, checks may include the Children’s Barred List and/or Adults’ Barred List. We also encourage registration with the DBS Update Service for ongoing status checks.

Professional References

As part of our vetting process, we request a minimum of two professional references and review candidates’ work history, including discussing any gaps, to help support safe and informed appointments.

Qualifications & Professional Bodies

Direct verification with awarding bodies and professional registers. For overseas qualifications, we use UK ENIC for comparison.

Final Quality Check & SCR Pack

Each file is subject to a final quality assurance review before release. Clients receive an SCR-ready compliance pack containing the documentation obtained, including certificates, reference information, verification records and our compliance checklist, to support audit requirements.

Technology & Compliance Tools

Fast, secure and audit-ready

Update Service Monitoring

We track Update Service registrations (with consent) and monitor for status changes. 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.

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 in-house vetting team of nine compliance specialists manages pre-employment checks for education and public sector roles. The team is led by Pippa Stead, Head of Vetting & Safeguarding, who brings extensive experience in education safeguarding, supported by colleagues with backgrounds in school leadership, HR compliance and regulatory environments.

The team undertakes ongoing professional development to stay aligned with current guidance and best practice.

When you contact our Vetting Team, you’ll speak directly with specialists who understand the practical application of KCSIE and can support you with compliance-related queries.

Because education matters and getting vetting right matters too.

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