The Single Central Record (SCR) is a statutory requirement for all schools and colleges in England. It is a record of the pre-employment checks carried out on every person who works at, or regularly volunteers in, your school.
When Ofsted arrives, the SCR is typically one of the first documents they ask for. Getting it wrong is one of the fastest ways to start an inspection on the wrong foot.
Here is what it must contain, who is responsible, and how supply agencies fit into the picture.
What the SCR must include
The SCR must record that the following checks have been carried out for each member of staff. It does not need to contain the documents themselves, just confirmation that each check was completed, by whom, and on what date.
For all staff:
- Enhanced DBS check (with or without barred list, depending on regulated activity)
- Identity check
- Right to work in the UK
- Check of professional qualifications (where applicable)
- Check that the individual is not prohibited from teaching (prohibition order check)
Where applicable:
- Overseas criminal record check (for staff who have lived outside the UK)
- Section 128 check (for management roles in independent and academy schools)
- Medical fitness confirmation
The SCR must also record whether checks were carried out before or after the individual started work, and if after, the reason why.
Who is responsible
The headteacher or principal is ultimately responsible for ensuring the SCR is maintained and accurate. In practice, this responsibility is usually delegated to the school business manager or HR lead.
Every member of staff who has access to children must be on the SCR, including part-time staff, volunteers who work regularly with pupils, and governors who visit during the school day.
How supply agencies affect your SCR
This is the area schools most often get wrong.
When a teacher is placed by an agency, the agency carries out all pre-employment checks: DBS, barred list, right to work, qualifications, and identity. The school does not repeat these checks. However, the school must:
- Confirm in writing (or by email) with the agency that all checks have been carried out before the individual starts
- Record on the SCR that the teacher was placed by a named agency and that the agency confirmed all checks
The SCR entry for a supply teacher placed through an agency should state the agency’s name and the date you received written confirmation that checks were complete. That is all, but it must be there.
Ofsted inspectors know that schools using agencies do not hold the check certificates. They are looking for the confirmation record and the agency name.
Common SCR mistakes
Forgetting supply and temporary staff. Any individual working with pupils needs an SCR entry, even someone covering for a single day.
Relying on verbal confirmation. Confirmation that an agency has completed checks must be in writing. A phone call is not sufficient.
Leaving gaps in dates. Every check must have a date. A check recorded without a date gives Ofsted nothing to verify.
Not updating leavers. The SCR should record when staff leave, not just when they join.
A note on Ofsted
Ofsted does not expect perfection, but they do expect rigour. An SCR that is clearly maintained, regularly reviewed, and has no unexplained gaps signals to inspectors that safeguarding is taken seriously at leadership level.
An SCR with missing entries, unexplained staff on site, or no process for temporary workers signals the opposite.
If you use a supply agency, make sure they understand your SCR obligations and provide written confirmation as standard, not just when asked.
At Edvantro, we send written confirmation of all checks for every teacher we place, formatted to support your SCR. To find out more about how we work with schools, get in touch with our team.