What is a Background check?
A background check is a disclosure of your criminal record.
It may vary depending on your country but usually involves contacting your local police or government to obtain a document confirming whether you have a criminal record and the nature of any offences.
*** It is a legal requirement in many countries that educators have to disclose a background check when working with or having access to minors ***
What documents are acceptable?
In the UK, a background check takes the form of an Enhanced DBS Check. In other countries, it can be a Police Record Check or a Federal Background Check.
The following documents are not acceptable: Your CV/Resume, certificates of your degrees or any other qualifications, and a letter of recommendation.
UK the Basic DBS checks are also not supported.
When do I need a background check?
Following industry guidance from the Tutors Association, Background checks have been made mandatory for ALL tutors, regardless of what age group they tutoring.
For access to the jobs board, copies of the full check certificate will need to be uploaded to your profile, issue dates entered and approval made by the team.
All checks are valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
What do I do once I have obtained it?
You can upload your background check in your Profile under the section titled "Background check":
Once you click upload you will be presented with three options:
The issue date will need to entered on any new background check. This must be the date on the certificate, i.e. the date the background check was carried out. All background checks will be valid for three years from the issues date. After this time we will require a new background check issued less than three years ago.
UK ONLY
Paper Certificate Enhanced DBS checks, you can upload the front page including the address section, in the top left-hand corner.
If you are on the Barring Update Service, click here and run a status check on your own certificate. Take a screenshot of the final result and upload it to your background check area.
ALL OTHER COUNTRIES
Non-UK Background check - These will come in many different forms and all must have English translations. Full names and certified copies need to be clear as to the country of issue.
If you have multiple files or pages, take pictures combine them into one PDF, and upload the PDF to Spires.
What happens after I upload it?
Once your background check is uploaded, the team will verify your issue date and certificate. Once this is approved you will receive a notice, until this time you will not be able to bid on jobs. You will also be able to see an expiry date:
Make sure we can read your background check:
Please ensure that any background check uploaded is the complete document without any parts missing or redacted.
It should also be clear enough to read and if it is in a language other than English then a notarised translation must be provided.
No certificate provided should be more than three years old.
Should we not be able to approve your background check, you will be notified and a reason will be provided, for you to action.
We do not display your document publicly on your profile. Prospective clients will see a green tick that verifies you have an updated and uploaded background check.