This article was written with help from Forbes Solicitors.
What are the rules?
Safeguarding
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023 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 221 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
