Police checks are keeping the criminals at bay, say the NUT
Perverts, drug dealers and gun men have all applied for teaching jobs in Wales – despite being barred from the profession.
A total of 410 of 21,700 job seekers in 2014/15 had previous convictions, according to a Freedom of Information request.
Those 410 were guilty of 915 offences, according to the figures.
They included convictions for exposure, wounding, inflicting grievous bodily harm, supplying cocaine and cannabis, and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Others had committed cruelty to animals, had helped minors buy air weapons and were guilty of racial abuse.
Across the country, applicants had 139 convictions for drink driving, 55 for ABH and 53 for shoplifting.
'We can't stop people applying'
David Evans, secretary of teaching union NUT Cymru, said: “It is impossible to stop people from applying to become teachers, but of course the point of background checks is to ensure that the correct information is available, to judge if someone is an appropriate candidate or not.
“If an individual is a new applicant to the profession they will be subject to a suitability check by the Education Workforce Council, who will undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check.”
That replaces the CRB – Criminal Records Bureau – check.
“If convictions are shown, they will then be subject to a suitability investigation and possibly a hearing,” Mr Evans said.
“The purpose of this is to ensure that sex offenders, drug dealers and violent criminals are weeded out of the system before they are employed at schools.
“As teachers have to have registration with the Education Workforce Council before they can take up employment, a registration requirement which is now also being extended to certain support staff, this is a system designed to put protecting pupils at its forefront.
“Of course if an individual is already employed by a school at the time of conviction, the details are referred on to the EWC, who then carry out a disciplinary investigation.”
Why background checks are so important
Netmums’ editor Angharad Westmore backed the checks.
“They do what they are meant to do,” the mum-of-two said.
“I have been as assistant teacher and I work with cubs and scouts.
“DBS checks are essential to know that you’re getting the right people in, that are safe to work with your kids.
“You cannot go back to not having them.”
Ms Westmore claimed they took too long to obtain.
“They should happen quicker, but they are making it easier and I have one that is portable,” she said.
“All the Netmums will want to make sure that when their kids are going to school, and to after school clubs etcetera, that the people looking after their children are going to look after their kids. This the right thing to do.”
Ms Westmore acknowledged “people have a right to apply for jobs.”
“And if they have got a conviction and are going for Jobseeker’s Allowance they will have to apply for a certain amount of jobs,” she said.
So, what are the rules?
Governors Wales was contacted but had not commented at the time of writing.
It did send a Welsh Government document called “Keeping Learners Safe.”
That said: “Where appropriate the successful applicant will be required to provide a DBS check at the appropriate level for the post.
“The prospective employer will seek references on shortlisted candidates, and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications before interview.
“If the applicant is currently working with children, on either a paid or voluntary basis, his or her current employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children.”
What happens if an applicant lies?
That would include any that could no longer be taken into account in another disciplinary hearing because they had expired.
There would also be inquiries about “whether the applicant has been the subject of any child protection concerns, and if so, the outcome of any inquiry or disciplinary procedure.”
“If the applicant is not currently working with children but has done so in the past, that previous employer will be asked about those issues,” the guidelines said.
“Providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected, or summary dismissal if the applicant has been selected, as well as possible referral to the police.
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/sex-offenders-drug-dealers-gunmen-10777554
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