Richmond and Wandsworth Councils - HR Service - Letter of Assurance - June 2021

Sep 15, 2026

Letter of assurance from the Richmond and Wandsworth Councils HR Service confirming that standard employment checks are completed for staff working in services that visit schools in the borough. The letter explains requirements for identity checks, enhanced DBS with barred list checks, employment reference checks, prohibition from teaching checks, professional qualification checks, and UK right-to-work checks. It also outlines the self-declaration process every three years and updates where new information affects safeguarding and pupil welfare.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Letter of Assurance

Employment checks covered

Self-declaration and updated checks

Attached services and departments

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils HR Service Resources Department, Room 237 Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street London, SW18 2PU Telephone: (020) 8871 8825 Email: [HRHelpDesk@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk](HRHelpDesk@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk) Websites: [www.richmond.gov.uk](www.richmond.gov.uk) [www.wandsworth.gov.uk](www.wandsworth.gov.uk) [Date: June 2021](Date: June 2021) Dear Head Teacher, Letter of Assurance As an employer providing services to Wandsworth schools, I am writing to confirm that the following standard employment checks have been carried out in line with the necessary safeguarding, safer recruitment and vetting and barring checks, which are clear for all relevant staff working in services that visit schools in the borough. Please see the list attached which indicates, where necessary, if some but not all posts within a service are checked due to legal requirements. Please note that any staff who hold posts which are not eligible for an enhanced DBS check and a check of the barred lists, must not be left unsupervised whilst on site at your school. Checks An identity check An enhanced DBS with barred list check A check of employment references, (last 2-3 years) A prohibition from teaching check A check of professional qualifications A check to establish right to work in the UK Services Yes Yes Yes If appropriate Yes Yes There are many Council services employing staff that enter schools and therefore require the checks outlined above; these are carried out upon appointment to a relevant post within the Council. In addition to these checks, the Council has a 'Self Declaration’ process in place, where eligible staff also complete a self-declaration form, declaring any criminal convictions, every 3 years. The Council is committed to reviewing these arrangements regularly to ensure it has effective processes in place. The Council also undertakes 'prohibition from teaching' checks on qualified teachers that attend schools, as an additional layer of security and pre-employment checking. When necessary, updated checks on current staff are also processed and finalised. If an updated check returns new information, we will advise your school accordingly. We understand the importance of these checks, which ensure the well-being and safety of your pupils, and to comply with current requirements: Council, OFSTED and DfE guidance “Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Childcare Disqualification Requirements – Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 “ in relation to safeguarding in schools. This letter is therefore being sent to you to confirm our commitment and assurance that all of the above noted checks are undertaken and records maintained accordingly in our confidential systems. Finally, a list of the departments and services that may access your Schools are also attached. Yours sincerely, Mr. Ian Stedman Head of Human Resources Cc: Schools HR The checks are undertaken for the Services and/or posts listed below, where applicable. Current Traded Services-2021/22 14-19 Developments Arboriculture Service Building Control Services Business Education Succeeding Together (BEST) School Contracts Team Central Procurement Team Curriculum, Professional, and Leadership Development Services Education Inclusion Service Education Welfare--Assessment Team/Officers Emergency Planning Ethnic Minority Achievement Financial Management--Premises Officer Governor Services--Clerks and Governors Health and Safety--H&S Advisors Internal Audit Service Learning and Development Learning Resources Service Literacy & Numeracy Support Service Music--Casual Tutors Newly Qualified Teachers Occupational Health Service Pest Control Research and Evaluation Unit (REU) School Standards and Improvement Service- Inspectors Schools and Community Psychology Service--Ed Psych's. Schools ICT Support Service- IT Staff The Early Years Education and Inclusion

FAQs

Which employment checks does the council confirm have been carried out for staff visiting schools?

The letter confirms identity checks, enhanced DBS with barred list checks, employment reference checks (last 2–3 years), prohibition from teaching checks, professional qualification checks, and UK right-to-work checks.

What is required of staff whose posts are not eligible for enhanced DBS or barred list checks?

Such staff must not be left unsupervised while on site at the school.

How does the council handle ongoing compliance, including criminal convictions and updated information?

Eligible staff complete a self-declaration form every 3 years. Updated checks are processed for current staff, and the school is advised if new information is returned.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair