Safeguarding and Compliance
Safeguarding and Compliance
At Vision Teaching, safeguarding and compliance are central to everything we do. We are a proud member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and operate in full compliance with the REC Code of Professional Practice, which sets the benchmark for best practice across the recruitment industry.
REC membership exists to safeguard children and vulnerable adults while ensuring recruitment organisations consistently deliver the highest standards of service. Following extensive consultation with industry stakeholders, the REC Code requires exceptional levels of professionalism, accountability, and transparency from education recruitment agencies.
As an REC‑accredited education recruitment company, our resource and compliance teams operate in strict accordance with REC guidance and statutory safeguarding legislation to ensure that all staff supplied to schools meet the highest possible standards.
What This Means for Schools
When you work with Vision Teaching, you can be confident that:
- We go beyond statutory safeguarding requirements and aim for best‑in‑class compliance standards
- All candidates are subject to rigorous vetting and suitability checks before being introduced to your school
- Our processes align fully with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Department for Education (DfE) statutory guidance
- Safeguarding is embedded at every stage of the recruitment, placement, and ongoing monitoring process
Our commitment ensures that schools receive fully vetted, compliant, and suitable education professionals, giving you peace of mind and protecting the wellbeing of children and staff.
Our Onboarding Process
Initial Screening and Pre‑Vetting
Each candidate undergoes an initial screening process, including a detailed pre‑vetting call conducted by an experienced consultant. This assesses suitability, experience, and alignment with safeguarding expectations.
Registration and Interview
Candidates who successfully pass pre‑vetting attend a formal registration meeting, either in person or via video call. During this stage we:
- Gain a detailed understanding of the individual’s education background and experience
- Assess suitability for working with children and young people
- Explore professional conduct, values, and safeguarding awareness
- Review all required legal and compliance documentation
All candidates must demonstrate:
- Competent spoken and written English
- A clear understanding of safeguarding and professional responsibilities
- A positive and proactive safeguarding mindset
Safeguarding and Suitability Checks
Vision Teaching conducts full safeguarding and suitability checks in line with REC Audited Education standards and statutory guidance.
These include verification of:
- Right to Work documentation
- Photographic identification
- Proof(s) of address
- National Insurance number
- Change of name documentation (where applicable)
- Relevant qualifications
- Enhanced DBS certificate (full certificate, including all pages)
- Overseas police checks (where applicable)
- Safeguarding and Prevent training certification
Additional Vetting Requirements
We also complete:
- A detailed review of employment history and experience
- Exploration and recording of any CV gaps of 12 weeks or more
- Values‑based safeguarding interview questions
- Verification that safeguarding and Prevent training is current or guidance provided where required
- Any additional checks deemed necessary to ensure full safeguarding compliance
Compliance Oversight
Once registration is complete, Vision Teaching’s dedicated Compliance Team oversees the final clearance process.
Our compliance procedures align with:
- REC Audited Education standards
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
- Department for Education (DfE) statutory guidance
The Compliance Team will:
- Obtain and verify professional references
- Cross‑check references against CVs and registration information
- Resolve any outstanding documentation or compliance queries
- Ensure all safeguarding and legal requirements are fully satisfied before placement
If, at any point, an individual does not meet Vision Teaching’s strict safeguarding and compliance standards, they will not be supplied for work in schools.
Ongoing Monitoring and Commitment
Safeguarding does not end at placement. Vision Teaching maintains ongoing oversight and works closely with schools to address any concerns swiftly and effectively.
We are committed to protecting children, supporting schools, and maintaining the highest professional standards across every placement we make.
Confirming Bookings and Our Vetting Checklist
Vision Teaching uses a bespoke compliance and safeguarding database to ensure that all vetting information is accurate, robust, and consistently updated in line with REC Compliance+, Department for Education (DfE) requirements, and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) statutory guidance.
Each educator who successfully meets our suitability, safeguarding, and competency requirements is issued with a formal Vetting Checklist, authorised by a senior member of our Compliance Team.
When an assignment is confirmed, the nominated school contact will receive booking confirmation by email, including:
- The candidate’s full name
- Teaching or support staff specialism
- A professional photograph (taken at interview)
- A completed Vetting Checklist attached for your records
This ensures schools have clear, auditable confirmation that all safeguarding and compliance checks have been completed prior to placement.
Vetting Checklist Information Provided to Schools
The Vetting Checklist provided with each booking confirms completion and verification of the following:
- Full name and date of birth
- Evidence of a complete and verified CV
- Medical fit‑for‑work declaration
- Completion of online searches in line with safeguarding guidance
- Photographic identification and Right to Work confirmation
- Enhanced DBS certificate details, including latest DBS Update Service status check
- Qualifications held, with verification and relevant supporting information
- Confirmation that a minimum of two satisfactory professional references have been obtained
- Confirmation and date of a clear Prohibition Check (where applicable)
- National Insurance number verification
- Overseas police check (where applicable)
- Change of name documentation (where applicable)
Our Commitment to Schools
This process ensures that schools receive fully vetted, compliant, and suitably checked professionals, with clear documentation provided for safeguarding records and audit purposes.
Vision Teaching takes full responsibility for maintaining rigorous compliance standards and only confirms bookings once all safeguarding requirements have been satisfied. You can find out more in our Recruitment, Selection and Vetting Policy.
If you have any questions or queries about our safeguarding and candidate vetting procedures, please do not hesitate to contact a senior member of our team on 0207 430 7120 or email compliance@visionteaching.co.uk
