Background Checks for Teaching Assistants
This article will focus on the checks needed for teaching assistants in the UK.
The UK has a strict system of background checks for anyone working not just as a teacher, but anywhere where they will come into regular, unsupervised contact with either children or vulnerable adults. This means that anyone applying for a post as a teaching assistant will need to undergo these checks.
If you apply for a post, you will told that you need to undergo a CRB check. This stands for Criminal Records Bureau. The check is known as an "enhanced" check and will seek any evidence of criminal convictions, reprimands, warnings or cautions. It is worth bearing in mind that this check covers spent convictions. However, it does not mean you would be automatically barred from working with children if something turns up. It will be at the discretion of the LEA or the school whether to employ you. However, if that offence was against children, or was violent and was relatively recent, it is highly unlikely that you would be considered for a post.
Alongside the CRB is the Independent Safeguarding Authority (the ISA). This keeps a list of people deemed unsuitable for working with children or vulnerable adults. This will usually come from a CRB check. The ISA is now the main authority in the UK for deciding whether or not an individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. This means that from July 26th, when you undergo a CRB check, you will be asked to apply for ISA registration. You will then be on a list of approved people, assuming there is no reason for you to be barred.
Technically, if you have a criminal record as revealed on your CRB form, you might still not be registered as unsafe to work with children by the ISA, but the LEA or the school may still decide you are not an appropriate person to work with children.
The system has been developed since 2002, after school caretaker Ian Huntley murdered two schoolgirls. He had been on one police database, but not the one in the area he was living. Now, if you move, or you work in two areas, you must apply for separate CRB checks. This does not cost teaching assistants, because the money would be paid by the school.
Always check with your school if you have questions, and you can also refer to these websites:
http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/faqs/vetting_and_barring_scheme.aspx
http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=8
