How do I order EEA (European Economic Area) checks?
- Create/log in to your account here.
- Order and pay for check online.
- Receive your certificate with the results.
To order EEA (European Economic Area) checks click here.
How long does an EEA (European Economic Area) Check take to complete?
EEA requests received before 2.30pm will normally be processed within the same working day. Any orders received after this time will be processed the next working day. As soon as the checks have been completed, you will receive your results certificate via email. Alternatively, we offer the Fast Track scheme which will guarantee the result is provided within 2 hours of receipt of the order if made between 9am-3pm weekdays (excludes Bank Holidays).
How much does an EEA (European Economic Area) Check cost?
The cost of an EEA (European Economic Area) check is £12.50 plus VAT. We provide a certificate with the results as proof that you have carried out the Section check.
What is an EEA (European Economic Area) Check?
With regards to an EEA (European Economic Area) Check, the guidance states that Individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK must undergo the same checks as all other staff in schools or colleges. In addition, schools and colleges must make any further checks they think appropriate so that any relevant events that occurred outside the UK can be considered. These further checks should include a check for information about any teacher sanction or restriction that an EEA professional regulating authority has imposed, using the NCTL Teacher Services system. Although restrictions imposed by another EEA regulating authority do not prevent a person from taking up teaching positions in England, schools and colleges should consider the circumstances that led to the restriction or sanction being imposed when considering a candidate’s suitability for employment.
The Home Office has published guidance on criminal checks for overseas applicants.
The department has as also issued guidance on the employment of overseas-trained teachers
The Home Office has published guidance on criminal checks for overseas applicants.
This gives information on the requirements for overseas-trained teachers from the EEA to teach in England, and the award of qualified teacher status for teachers qualified in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America.
Which organisations need to carry out EEA (European Economic Area) Check?
The following organisations must carry out EEA checks: -
- Acadamies
- Alternative provision Academies
- Independent Schools
- Free Schools
- Maintained Schools
- Pupil referral units
- Colleges
- Non-maintained special schools
- Education Recruitment/Agency companies
Which staff need to have the EEA (European Economic Area) Check carried out?
The guidance confirms Individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK must undergo the same checks as all other staff in schools or colleges. In addition, schools and colleges must make any further checks they think appropriate so that any relevant events that occurred outside the UK can be considered. These further checks should include a check for information about any teacher sanction or restriction that an EEA professional regulating authority has imposed. Please note The EEA check covers all the countries of the EU, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Please note that If the individual has worked in an institution within the further education sector in England in a post which involved the provision of education which brought the person regularly into contact with children or young persons, during a period which ended not more than three months before the person’s appointment, then it is not a mandatory check.
Can a EEA (European Economic Area) Check be carried out on other staff?
No, the EEA (European Economic Area) check is only to be carried out for Individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK.
What does the EEA (European Economic Area) Check contain?
This list contains those people who have been identified to the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) as having a current EEA member state restriction/sanction imposed on them.
Whilst such a restriction/sanction does not currently prevent the person from taking up teaching positions in England, as part of your safer recruitment pre-appointment checks and to determine their suitability for the position in your school, you should obtain further information about the circumstances leading to this decision. Employers should contact the EEA regulator responsible for the decision to obtain more information about the reasons for imposing the sanction/restriction.
IMPORTANT – if you decide to employ the individual please inform NCTL immediately, including the date they will begin work, by emailing Misconduct.Teacher@education.gov.uk or calling 0207 593 5393.
Is a EEA (European Economic Area) Check the same as an Enhanced DBS and or Children’s barred list (formally list 99)?
No, an EEA (European Economic Area) check is not the same as an Enhanced DBS check nor a children’s barred list check. An EEA (European Economic Area) check is completely separate check.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is responsible for deciding whether an individual should be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults and for maintaining a list of those individuals who are determined to be unsuitable (the barred list). The DBS is also responsible for processing requests for Criminal Records Checks, including those made as part of the checks carried out by schools prior to appointing staff. The DBS will consider cases that concern safeguarding matters (i.e. harm or the risk of harm to a child), barring individuals from working with children where appropriate. When considering whether to bar a teacher, the criteria used by the DBS differ from those used by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). Where the DBS has decided a case does not meet its criteria for barring, the NCTL can still decide to refer the case to a professional conduct panel for its consideration.
For further information on DBS checks please click here.
Who is responsible for EEA (European Economic Area) sanctions lists?
The Education Act 2011 gives responsibility to the Secretary of State to regulate teachers’ conduct and to hold a list of teachers who have been prohibited from teaching.
What happens if a teaching member of staff has a EEA (European Economic Area) sanction against them?
Whilst such a restriction/sanction does not currently prevent the person from taking up teaching positions in England, as part of your safer recruitment pre-appointment checks and to determine their suitability for the position in your school, you should obtain further information about the circumstances leading to this decision. Employers should contact the EEA regulator responsible for the decision to obtain more information about the reasons for imposing the sanction/restriction.
IMPORTANT – where you decide to employ the individual please inform NCTL immediately, including the date they will begin work, by emailing Misconduct.Teacher@education.gov.uk or calling 0207 593 5393.
What is an EEA (European Economic Area) sanction?
From 18 January 2016 where any European Economic Area (EEA) authority that is responsible for regulating the teaching profession imposes a restriction on a person’s ability to work as a teacher, this information must be shared with all other EEA teacher regulators. This list contains those people who have been identified to the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) as having a current EEA member state restriction/sanction imposed on them.
How long does a person stay on the EEA (European Economic Area) sanctions list?
An EEA (European Economic Area) is a generally a lifetime sanction, though in some circumstances the teacher may be able to make a request to have it reviewed after a specified period of time.
Why do you need to carry out a EEA (European Economic Area) Check?
Where this check applies to applicants in your school, the Department for Education statutory guidance “Keeping Children Safe in Education” advises schools and colleges as part of their safer recruitment, selection and pre-employment vetting, to carry out these checks.
Do I need to record the EEA (European Economic Area) Check on my single central record?
Yes. The EEA (European Economic Area) check if required should have been completed and recorded on the Single Central Record.
Want us to manage your single central record?
For a small annual fee we here at OnlineSCR can completely manage your single central record. OnlineSCR has the ability to access all your Safeguarding Recruitment Checks all under one roof. Our built-in automated emailing reminder system alerts you when checks are required, processes them, records them securely within your account and provides you with a certificate to say the checks have been completed. Keeping your single central record completely up to date and in real time too! Join the experts in safer recruitment today!
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