Safer Recruitment

COBIS member schools must demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding their staff as well as their pupils.  They must hold up to date and secure records: specifically, a Single Central Register of Appointments, constructed in line with COBIS guidelines and reviewed annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) and Designated Safeguarding Governor. Appropriate training and ongoing CPD should be provided for staff members.

Our Supporting Associates are expected to adhere to the COBIS Code of Conduct, which includes a commitment to safer recruitment practices, and transparent organisational safeguarding policies and procedures. 

The International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) is a criminal records check for anyone who lives, or has lived, in the UK and who is looking to work with children overseas. It confirms whether or not the applicant has a criminal history and provides details, including relevant conviction and non-conviction data.

We’ve partnered with ACRO Criminal Records Office to help our schools access these checks and make the ICPC a fundamental aspect of the recruitment process for individuals wanting to work with children overseas.

Find out more 

Schools are encouraged to complete pre-employment checks for all new members of staff.

A Prohibition Order Check ensures the teacher is not prohibited from teaching.

These checks are mandatory for schools in England, and it is considered best practice for international schools as well, particularly those preparing for quality assurance.

You can request Prohibition Order checks through us directly. 

contact us for a prohibition checkMore information on prohibition checks

You can obtain local criminal background checks from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):

UK Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI)

UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)

• A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) is only available to any school that is based or has a HQ in England and Wales and is making the recruitment decision in England and Wales. If you do meet the eligibility criteria of a DBS set by the Home Office you can apply through uCheck or contact us for more details.
   
• Overseas schools who do not meet the eligibility criteria and therefore cannot request a DBS for their staff can instead apply for an International Child Protection Certificate.
   
• Barring Referrals for any British national suspected of an allegation can be made from overseas to the DBS. Please follow this link for more details. It is the same procedure for both UK and overseas schools.