Parliamentary Search

Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Berridge (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 17 April 2024.

School Inspections: Funding

Question

My Lords, one of the key functions of an Ofsted inspection is to make sure that no one is employed who has a criminal record relating to harming children. Sadly, there are over 80,000 adults currently barred from working with children. When Ofsted discovers that a head teacher and senior leadership team are not doing proper employment checks, what resources are then available, either from Ofsted or elsewhere, to ensure that that senior leadership team is immediately retrained to ensure they do those vital employment checks?

Answer

It would be up to the trust, in relation to an academy, or the local authority to address those specific weaknesses. The department has led on the development of a framework of professional qualifications: leadership qualifications for heads, executive leaders and senior leaders. All those frameworks are clear about the role of leaders in complying with the law in relation to safeguarding and statutory guidance. As my noble friend knows very well, that statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, is extremely

clear on recruitment practices, DBS and wider appointment checks, but also on referrals back to the Disclosure and Barring Service if someone is dismissed or removed.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
837 c981 
Session
2023-24
Oral question type
Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Finance Inspections Schools Ofsted
Link
View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk