When you take agency staff, the vetting is our job — but the evidence is yours to hold. This page sets out exactly what we check, what you receive for your single central record, and what the law requires of you when a supply worker walks through your door.
What we do before a candidate reaches you
- DBS checks. All our staff are DBS checked.
- Employment references, obtained directly rather than taken on trust from a candidate’s own copy.
- Student or voluntary references covering at least the three years prior to placement, so there is no unexplained gap in the history.
- Identity and right to work verification.
- Written confirmation to you that the checks have been completed, for your single central record.
That last point is the one settings most often have to chase. You should not have to ask for it, so we send it with the candidate.
What the law asks of you
Two frameworks apply depending on your setting, and the distinction matters.
| Setting | Framework | Your obligation for agency staff |
|---|---|---|
| Schools and colleges | KCSIE, Part Three | Obtain written confirmation from the agency that checks were done, and record it on your single central record |
| Nurseries, preschools, childminders | EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements | Satisfy yourself that staff are suitable and that checks are in place before they work with children |
| School nursery and reception | Both | Both of the above |
You do not re-run the checks. You do have to evidence that you satisfied yourself they were done — which is a documentation duty, not a vetting one.
Two changes from September 2026 worth knowing
Both tightened vetting in ways that affect how quickly anyone can start.
- The volunteer supervision exemption has gone. Under both KCSIE 2026 and the updated EYFS framework, volunteers now require enhanced DBS and children’s barred list checks even where they are supervised. If you have supervised volunteers who were previously exempt, that position has changed.
- New employees cannot start before checks are received. Starting someone pending clearance is no longer acceptable in early years settings.
The practical consequence for you is that lead times have lengthened across the sector — which is precisely why using an agency that completes checks before a candidate is offered to you matters more than it did a year ago.
Safeguarding awareness, not just paperwork
A cleared candidate is not automatically a safe pair of hands. Supply and agency staff must read KCSIE Part One in full, the same as your directly employed staff — and since Annex A was removed in 2026, a condensed summary is no longer an acceptable substitute.
We expect our candidates to know who to go to with a concern on their first morning in an unfamiliar building, and to understand that reporting is not optional. Our safeguarding scenarios and model answers set out the standard we work to.
A note on DBS certificates
A DBS certificate has no official expiry date. It is accurate only on the day it was issued, which is why your own policy on how recent a check must be is the thing that actually governs acceptance. Candidates registered with the DBS Update Service can have their status verified online in moments, which is frequently the difference between filling a role this week and next month. Full detail is in our guide to DBS checks for schools and nurseries.
Need staff who arrive already cleared?
Daily supply, long-term cover and permanent recruitment across London and Essex — with your written confirmation included.
Frequently asked questions
Do schools need to re-check agency staff?
No. The agency carries out the vetting, but the school must obtain written confirmation from the agency that the checks have been completed, and record this on its single central record. It is a documentation duty rather than a vetting one.
What goes on the single central record for agency staff?
Typically identity verification, confirmation of the enhanced DBS check and barred list check where the role is regulated activity, right to work, any prohibition checks relevant to the role, and the date the agency confirmed the checks were completed.
What checks does Quint Education carry out?
All our staff are DBS checked. We also obtain employment references together with student or voluntary references covering at least the three years prior to placement, and verify identity and right to work. You receive written confirmation for your single central record.
Do volunteers need DBS checks if they are supervised?
Yes. From September 2026 the supervision exemption was removed under both KCSIE and the EYFS framework, so volunteers require enhanced DBS and children’s barred list checks even when supervised.
Can a new member of staff start while checks are pending?
Not in early years settings. The EYFS framework was updated from September 2026 so that new employees cannot start before their checks have been received, and childminder assistants cannot begin until the check and suitability letter arrive.
Do agency staff have to read KCSIE?
Yes. Supply and agency staff must read Part One in full, exactly as directly employed staff do. Annex A, the condensed version, was removed in KCSIE 2026, so a summary document is no longer acceptable.
How recent does a DBS certificate need to be?
There is no statutory expiry date, so this is governed by your own policy. Many education settings work to a guideline of around three years for re-checking. Candidates registered with the DBS Update Service can have their certificate verified online instantly, regardless of its issue date.