The centre provides local schools with qualified and CRB vetted teachers on a daily, short-term or long-term basis, to cover emergency absences, such as courses, maternity leave or other staff absence or shortage.

We are very aware of the problems mainstream educators have with either integrating or re-integrating a pupil who becomes disenchanted with school and who can then become a distraction to those who want to work. The mainstream school system often lacks the resources to cater for the needs of an individual child, even those with specific learning difficulties. The core ambition of our Centre is to address this issue in a friendly and encouraging environment, where there is the opportunity to take advantage of the latest equipment and software, with the support of a team of approachable, enthusiastic and professional staff.  We foresee that our Centre will become a real focal point for the local community as a Centre of Excellence.

The safety and welfare of children is considered at all times and it is our policy to ensure that all relevant pre-registration checks are carried out by staff that understand their responsibilities and are trained in Selection and Vetting procedures. We thoroughly vet all of our supply teachers to ensure suitability.  Checks are completed prior to the first placement of a teacher and are repeated during service if required.  The following checks apply to all teaching personnel and, unless otherwise stated, are conducted prior to placement.  

• Interviewed
• Clear List 99
• Have a current CRB check or are in the process of being checked
• Qualifications verified
• Two written references
• Signed Rehabilitation of the offenders Act statement
• Registered with GTC
• Have permission to work in the UK
• Identity checks
• Health declaration

CRB

All teachers are required to undergo a CRB Enhanced Disclosure check prior to placement.  If a teacher has an existing disclosure we will

• Approach the registered countersignatory
• we send the attached letter to the countersignatory having sort permission from the teacher

A teacher can commence an assignment while an application is in progress.

Rehabilitation of the Offenders Act

All teachers are required to sign the Rehabilitation of the Offenders Act during the application process.

List 99

All teachers are subject to a check against List 99 prior to placement.  This is undertaken prior after interview and a copy is retained on the teachers file.  Further checks are carried out every 6 months to ensure the teachers continued suitability to teach.

References

All teachers are required to provided details of at least two referees, one of whom must be their previous/current employer and ideally both who are able to comment directly on their performance in the education field.  Both referees must be senior to the teacher and be contactable at their place of work.

Written - We require both references to be in writing prior to placement.

Verbal - Verbal references may be taken but written follow up is required. A teacher may be placed on the strength of one written and one verbal reference.  If the referee fails to respond to our reference request we approach the teacher and ask for a third referee or for the teacher to prompt the referee on our behalf. We would normally expect confirmation of a written reference to be received within one week.

Open - Open references are accepted in addition to two written references.  A teacher would not be placed on the strength of an open reference.  If the referee is the teacher’s last employer we would approach them and ask them to verify the contents.

References are scrutinised by the recruiting consultant and if we are not entirely satisfied with the content we request additional references or make a decision not to engage the teacher.

Qualifications

All teachers must provide evidence that they hold qualified teacher status (QTS) or evidence of qualifications that are relevant to the role.  Ideally we require original documentation but in the absence of this a letter confirming the qualification from the training provider or a notarised copy will be accepted.

From time to time the agency will check the authenticity of qualifications with the issuing institution and we seek the teacher’s authority to do this.

GTC

All teachers with QTS must be registered with the GTC or be in the process of applying.  Forms are available and teachers are encouraged to register at interview. We check on a regular basis as to whether the teacher’s registration is successful. If the teacher fails to register within an agreed time we make the decision to cease using the teacher. If a teacher provides their registration number we check with GTC on a regular basis to ensure that it is valid.

Interviews

All teachers attend a personal face-to-face interview prior to placement with a qualified interviewer

Identification

All teachers are required to provide at least 3 forms of identification two of which must be from group A and one must contain a photograph and if applicable one from group B.  A further one item of identification is required from Group C and must show a teachers current address.

Acceptable ID documents

A  

Valid passport and Visa/Permission to work
UK Driving licence – photo (if passport is not provided)
Birth certificate
EU Identity card

B    

If the teacher has changed names through either deed-poll or marriage documents in support of this will be required

C           

p45/60 Statement
Bank or building society *
Utility bill*
Mortgage/Insurance statement*
Addressed payslip*
Correspondence from government department ie benefits agency, the employment service, the Inland Revenue*

* Dated within 3 months

Medical Declaration

Teachers are required to complete a medical health questionnaire at registration.  The information given will be kept strictly confidential and used only to access needs in the workplace.  If the teacher declares a condition that we feel may affect their ability to teach in the classroom we do require a letter from their GP.

Permission to Work in the UK

To comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 we ensure that the teacher has been given valid and subsiding leave to be in the UK by the Government and that leave does not restrict them in taking the job in question.  We satisfy ourselves that the teacher is the rightful holder of any of the documents presented to us by checking: -

• photographic ID to ensure that we are satisfied that they are consistent appearance of the teacher
• the dates of birth listed so that we are satisfied these are consistent with the appearance of the teacher
• the expiry dates of passports and visas are valid and ensure that adequate monitoring systems are in place to signal the pending expiry of key documentation
• any UK Government stamps or endorsements to see if the work seeker is able to do the type of work we are offering and that the proposed hours are permissible
• any name changes are supported by the appropriate documentation

Complete/Incomplete Checks

We make every effort to place a teacher on the completion of all checks.  The school is advised if any checks are outstanding and we do seek their permission to place the teacher in the absence these. The minimum checks that we would place a teacher on are:-

Interview
CRB/CRB in progress
List 99
Two written reference/two verbal
Health declaration
Permission to work
GTC Registration confirmed/in progress
ID
Qualifications
Signed Rehabilitation of the Offenders Act
Qualifications

Information that comes to light after placement

Should information come to light after the teacher has been placed; we will in the first instance speak with the teacher, if this is appropriate and either terminate our contract with the teacher or discuss findings with the client in order to obtain their agreement to continuing with the placement.   Our Misconduct Policy details the steps that we would take in the event that a teacher is placed who has been barred from teaching.

Copies of Documentation

All documents are photocopied and signed and dated by the consultant ‘as originals seen’.  These are kept in the teacher’s personal file.

Tel: 0118 986 3377

Email: hr@sparkeducarecic.com

Fax: 08004715339

You can book your cover staff ONLINE now and get a confirmation phone call within 2 hours.

All Candidates are fully vetted; which includes:

• Face to face interview
• ID checked
• Qualifications checked
• Two References
• G.T.C.E (General Teaching Council for England) Registration Check
• C.R.B. (Criminal Records Bureau) Enhanced Disclosure
• L99 Clearance Checks
• We will provide you with a compliance certificate for your own records (valid only for candidates placed through SPARK Education recruitment.