Keeping Children Safe in Education

The University of Cambridge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children. In all aspects of PGCE course provision, including the recruitment of trainees, we adhere to relevant aspects of the ITT criteria, of Keeping Children Safe in Education, and of relevant legislation, and expect all members of our community to fully commit to their associated responsibilities.

Assessment of fitness to work with children and/or young people

The Faculty of Education will ensure that all those offered a place on the PGCE course are screened for their fitness to work with children or young people. This will be assessed through interviews, references, and a number of background checks against the following lists:

• Teachers and others prohibited from the profession
• Teachers who have failed induction or probation
• General Teaching Council for England (GTEC) sanctions

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

In addition, all prospective trainees must obtain an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), with a Children's Barred List check, prior to the start of the course; this will be a condition of any offer made. Prospective trainees who have previously resided overseas for a continuous period of at least six months during the preceding five years must also provide the equivalent from the appropriate regulating authority.

Disclosure of previous convictions or offences

In the event of a positive disclosure that contains information about a previous conviction or caution, a risk assessment will be carried out by the Faculty of Education to ascertain whether the offence will prevent admission to the course. It is important to clarify that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1975) does not apply to those applying to the teaching profession and that criminal convictions or cautions may never be considered "spent".

Applicants should be aware that any previous convictions related to drug offences, violence or sexual abuse would be a matter of concern for their future employer and may bar them from entering the teaching profession. If, in relation to this, applicants are in any doubt about their future employment prospects, they may wish to contact:

• Disclosure and Barring Service
• Email: customerservices@dbs.gov.uk
• DBS helpline: 03000 200 190

DBS applications and fees

The Disclosure and Barring Service charge a fee which is payable by the applicant themselves. If applicants already hold an Enhanced DBS Disclosure that covers working with children, they may not be required to obtain another one providing they have subscribed to the DBS Update Service. If an applicant has not subscribed to the Update Service, they will have to apply for another Disclosure. Applicants will be contacted directly by the University of Cambridge Student Registry with further details of the process.

For further details

Rules and Legal compliance - Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)