Freedom of information response

Services Provided by Local Authorities to Schools

Publication date: 
Thursday 8 February 2024
Request: 

Please provide details of which kinds of agency services/staff, if any, that your local authority offers to schools within your jurisdiction.
(i.e. Catering staff, Cleaners, Site Keepers)
Are the staff members who deliver these services expected to comply with the guidance outlined in "Keeping Children Safe in Education"?
What vetting checks does your local authority carry out, in line with safer recruitment practices, for agency staff members who you provide to work within schools?
Are the members of staff who are assigned to work within schools vetted through a Social Media/Online Check?

Response: 

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  1. Catering Services provide staff to deliver the school meals within schools in Thurrock.
  1. Yes – All staff are recruited under Thurrock Council Recruitment Policy which includes DBS clearance and Safeguarding Training.
  1. For safer recruitment roles within school we undertake the following checks:

Right to work / identity check

3 year employment history check

Reference Verification checks

Gaps of employment check

Enhanced with Child Barred DBS Check

  1. Please see above
Request reference:
FOI 13394