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London schools can independently verify agency SEN staff DBS status through the DBS update service and teacher qualifications through the Teaching Regulation Agency. This guide explains the key verification checks schools should carry out.
London schools have a duty to ensure that all people working with their pupils are suitable, including agency SEN workers supplied by external agencies. While the agency bears primary responsibility for compliance checking, schools can and should carry out independent verification of key credentials before deploying agency workers. This is particularly important for roles in regulated activity with children, where the consequences of deploying an unsuitable individual are severe. Knowing where and how to carry out these checks quickly helps London schools maintain their safeguarding standards without creating excessive administrative burden.
SENDhelp supplies specialist SEN teachers, teaching assistants and support staff to schools and provisions across London and the surrounding counties. Whether you need cover today or are planning ahead, we can help you find the right person quickly.
The DBS update service allows schools to verify the currency of an individual worker’s enhanced DBS certificate online, for free and within seconds. The check requires the worker’s consent, their DBS certificate number and the type of workforce (children, adults or both). If the worker is registered on the update service, the school can confirm whether their certificate is still current and whether any new information has come to light since the certificate was issued. Schools should carry out this check for any agency SEN worker being placed for the first time.
The Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) maintains a register of teachers in England. Schools can check whether an individual holds Qualified Teacher Status, whether they have Early Career Teacher status, whether they have been awarded QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) and whether they are subject to any prohibition orders, section 128 directions or conditional orders that would restrict or prevent their employment as a teacher. The TRA register is searchable online and the check is free. Schools should carry out this check before deploying any agency worker in a teaching role.
Allied Health Professionals including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists must hold current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Schools can verify HCPC registration on the HCPC register online. The search is free and shows whether the individual is currently registered and whether any conditions or sanctions apply to their registration. Schools sourcing agency therapists should verify HCPC registration before the therapist begins work.
Social workers must hold current registration with Social Work England. Registration can be verified on the Social Work England register online. The search shows whether the individual is currently registered and whether any conditions apply. Schools working with social workers through SEN agencies should verify Social Work England registration before the social worker begins working with pupils.
Schools cannot access the full content of a DBS certificate for an agency worker: they can only verify currency through the update service. Schools also cannot independently verify the content of reference checks carried out by the agency: they must rely on the agency’s assurance that references have been obtained and are satisfactory, unless they choose to contact referees directly. Schools should ask agencies to confirm in writing that all required checks have been completed satisfactorily for each worker placed.
London schools should have a simple, documented protocol for verifying agency SEN workers before they begin. This might include: checking DBS update service status for the worker (with their consent and certificate number, provided by the agency); checking TRA status for any worker in a teaching role; verifying any professional registration relevant to the role; sight and record of the worker’s photo ID on arrival; and completion of a brief induction checklist signed by both the worker and a school representative. A consistent protocol applied to every agency worker placement provides both safeguarding assurance and evidence of good practice during Ofsted inspection.
For related information see our articles on How SEN Staff Are Vetted and SEN Staff Qualifications in London.
Use the DBS update service online to check whether the worker’s existing enhanced DBS certificate is current. You need the worker’s consent and their DBS certificate number, which the agency should provide. The check is free and takes a few seconds. You can also see whether any new information has come to light since the certificate was issued.
Teacher Qualified Teacher Status can be verified through the Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) register, which is available to search online for free. The TRA register also shows whether a teacher is subject to any prohibition orders or restrictions that would prevent or limit their employment as a teacher. Schools should check TRA status before deploying any agency worker in a teaching role.
Schools are not required to repeat all vetting checks for agency workers, as the agency bears primary responsibility for compliance. However, schools should independently verify DBS update service status, teacher status for teaching roles and any professional registrations for specialist practitioners before deployment. A school-level verification protocol provides safeguarding assurance and evidence of good practice.
Visit our SEN London Resource Hub for more guides on EHCP rights, SEN legislation, staffing costs, agency use, Ofsted expectations and borough-by-borough funding variations across the capital.
The information in this article is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Legislation, funding and local authority policies change: always verify current requirements with the relevant authority. SENDhelp Education Limited accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. Any links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement of their content.
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