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How to carry out an online search of shortlisted candidates

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) recommends you consider doing an online search on shortlisted candidates to explore at interview. Find out how to search fairly and effectively, and download our form to record your online searches during recruitment.

Last reviewed on 15 July 2024See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 44907
Contents
  1. What are the rules?
  2. How to conduct a search
  3. What to look for
  4. Be consistent when carrying out searches

This article was written with help from Forbes Solicitors.

What are the rules?

Safeguarding

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024 states that schools “should consider” carrying out an online search as part of due diligence on shortlisted candidates. You should also inform shortlisted candidates that you may carry out online searches (see paragraph 226 of KCSIE, linked above).

An online search is not a replacement or an alternative for other recruitment checks - you must still carry out your statutory duty to complete all safeguarding checks. Take a look at our cheat sheet to make sure you understand which employment checks you need to carry out alongside