Understanding Your Single Central Record (SCR)

Understanding Your Single Central Record (SCR)

The Single Central Record (SCR) is a statutory record of pre-employment safeguarding checks that all schools and colleges in England must maintain. It is a key document for ensuring compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024 and safeguarding responsibilities.

Mandatory Checks and Required Records

According to Paragraph 277 of KCSIE 2024, your SCR must include the following details for each individual:

✅ Identity Check

Verifies that the person is who they claim to be.
Must include checks against government-issued ID (e.g., birth certificate, passport).
Identity checking guidelines are available on GOV.UK.

✅ Enhanced DBS Check

Confirms completion of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a children’s barred list check where required.
If a separate barred list check was done before receiving the DBS, this must be recorded separately.

✅ Prohibition from Teaching Check (For Teaching Roles)

Schools must check the Teacher Services System to confirm the individual is not prohibited from teaching.
Required for all teaching roles, including qualified teachers and salaried trainee teachers.

✅ Right to Work in the UK

Schools must verify the individual's legal right to work in the UK.
May include visa or immigration status verification.

✅ Professional Qualifications Check (if required)

If a role requires specific qualifications (e.g., Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)), the school must confirm certification.

✅ Overseas Checks (For individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK)

Additional criminal record checks or verification from overseas authorities may be required.
Schools must assess whether further information is needed to confirm suitability for working with children.

✅ Recording the Date of Each Check

Schools must record the date each check was completed or when a certificate was obtained.
KCSIE 2024 (Paragraph 277) states:
“The single central record must indicate whether the following checks have been carried out or certificates obtained, and the date on which each check was completed or certificate obtained.”

Additional Requirements for Certain Settings

🔹 Agency and Third-Party Staff (Supply Staff)

Schools must record written confirmation from the supplying agency that all required checks have been completed.
The date the confirmation was received must also be recorded.

🔹 Independent Schools, Academies, and Free Schools

Section 128 Check: Schools must record whether individuals in management positions (e.g., headteachers, governors, trustees, directors) have passed the Section 128 direction check, which prohibits certain individuals from holding management roles in education.

🔹 Colleges

The SCR must indicate whether a staff member’s role involves “relevant activity”—meaning they regularly care for, train, supervise, or are in charge of children under 18.

Removing Records

The SCR must be updated when an individual leaves employment.
Their record should be removed from the SCR once they have left the school or college.

Non-Statutory (Optional, But Recommended) Information

Schools may choose to record additional details, such as:

✔ Confirmation that staff understand their duty to disclose information under childcare disqualification regulations.

✔ Checks conducted on volunteers and governors.

✔ Dates when staff completed safeguarding and safer recruitment training.

✔ Name of the person who conducted each check.

Note for Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs)

Each academy within a MAT must maintain a separate SCR.
During setup, Zen will ensure each academy has an independent SCR to ensure compliance.