Teacher and teaching assistant checks for schools.
Which checks a teacher needs, which a teaching assistant needs, where they differ, and how to get references back before interview.
What checks do teachers and teaching assistants need?
Under Keeping children safe in education, teachers and teaching assistants both need an identity check, an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information, a right to work check, overseas checks where relevant, and references. Teachers also need a prohibition check and, where required, QTS verification. RefAssure collects the references and employment history; the other checks are run separately.
Teacher checks, one by one.
KCSIE Part three lists what schools must check before a teacher starts. Offers should be conditional until the checks are done.
Identity
Confirm the person is who they claim to be, including any previous names.
Enhanced DBS and barred list
Teaching is regulated activity, so the check includes children's barred list information.
Prohibition check
Through DfE's Check a teacher's record. Needed for anyone employed to carry out teaching work.
Qualifications
The same service confirms QTS and completion of induction where the role needs them.
References
From the current employer, before interview where possible, checked against the application.
Teaching assistant checks: what is different?
Teaching assistants are almost always in regulated activity, so they need the same enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information, identity, right to work and reference checks as teachers. Mental and physical fitness for the role must also be confirmed for all staff.
The main difference is the prohibition check. A prohibition order stops someone carrying out teaching work, and under the Teachers' Disciplinary (England) Regulations 2012, planning, delivering, assessing and reporting are not teaching work when done under the direction and supervision of a qualified teacher. A teaching assistant supporting a class teacher is usually in that position. Higher level teaching assistants and cover supervisors who lead lessons may not be, so many schools run the free prohibition check for these roles too. Read our teacher prohibition check guide for the detail.
References for teaching assistants
Teaching assistants often come from retail, hospitality or parenting, so the last employer may never have written a school reference. KCSIE says that if an applicant is not currently working with children, you should get a reference from the last employer where they did, and if they never have, from their current employer. Ask about conduct, reliability and any concerns about working with children, in plain words a non-school referee can answer.
Reception and wraparound care
Staff working in reception classes, or in wraparound care for children up to age 8, also need checks under the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018.
Chasing references: by hand or automated.
| By hand | With RefAssure | |
|---|---|---|
| Sending requests | Emails and attachments from the office inbox | Secure link sent in two minutes |
| Chasing referees | Phone calls between lessons | 5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days |
| Candidate consent | Often assumed, rarely recorded | Signed online before referees are contacted |
| Bounced emails | Noticed days later, if at all | Flagged, most within minutes |
| The record | Printouts in a folder | Signed PDF with a full audit trail |
Chased for you, day by day.
5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days, stopping the moment the referee replies.
Teacher check questions
More in the full FAQs.
How do I check a teacher is qualified?
Use DfE's Check a teacher's record with a DfE Sign-in account. It confirms QTS and completion of induction or probation, and shows any prohibition or section 128 direction. It is free for employers.
Do teaching assistants need an enhanced DBS check?
Usually yes, with children's barred list information, because supporting pupils in class is regulated activity. Our DBS checks guide explains the levels.
How many references does a teaching assistant need?
KCSIE does not set a number. It sets who references should come from: normally the current employer, plus the last employer where they worked with children. Many schools ask for two.
Can a teaching assistant start before the DBS certificate arrives?
KCSIE allows it in limited cases, with a separate children's barred list check, all other checks complete and appropriate supervision. It does not apply in settings covered by the EYFS framework. See our school pre-employment checks guide.
Can RefAssure run teacher checks for us?
RefAssure handles references and employment history, with signed consent, chasing and a PDF audit trail. DBS, prohibition, qualification and right to work checks are run by the school through the official services.
What should a teaching assistant reference ask?
Confirm dates, role and reason for leaving, then ask about reliability, conduct, any disciplinary action and any concerns about the person working with children. Keep the wording plain if the referee is outside education. You can set this once as a RefAssure template and reuse it.
How fast are references returned?
Across 229 completed references the median was about 23 hours and half came back within 24 hours. 4 in 10 were completed after an automatic reminder.
Related guides
Teacher and TA references, done for you.
Your first reference is free. RefAssure chases, collects and files it.