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If you have not created a Section 128 Account with us before, please create an account and we will guide you through the order process.

Section 128

The Section 128 checks the names of individuals who have been barred from taking part in the management of any independent school (including academies and free schools), under the terms of a direction made by the Secretary of State for Education.

Once you have registered your account with us we will carry out the checks on your behalf. Section 128 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).

5 checks one place

Whilst ordering your check(s) you have the opportunity to order the full range of recruitment checks specifically to the education sector to ensure educational establishment complies with Ofsted/ISI guidelines. You can order the following:

Children’s Barred list (formerly List 99) checks
Prohibition from Teaching checks
Section 128 checks
European Economic Area (EEA) checks
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) checks

How do I order a Section 128 Check?

Create/Log in to your account here.
Order and pay for check online.
Receive your certificate with the results.

To order a Section 128 check click here.

How long does a Section 128 check take to complete?

Section 128 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 a Section 128 check cost?

The cost of Section 128 check is £12.50 plus VAT. We provide a certificate with the results as proof that you have carried out the Section 128 check.

For further information on how we can help you, please contact 0151 606 5101 or email OSCR@onlinescr.co.uk.

What is a Section 128 sanction?

The guidance states a Section 128 direction prohibits or restricts a person from taking part in the management of an independent school, including academies and free schools. A person who is prohibited is unable to participate in any management of an independent school such as: a management position in an independent school, academy or free school as an employee; a trustee of an academy or free school trust; a governor or member of a proprietor body for an independent school; or a governor on any governing body in an independent school, academy or free school that retains or has been delegated any management responsibilities. A check for a section 128 direction can be carried out using the Teacher Services’ System Secure Access Where the person will be engaging in regulated activity, a DBS barred list check will also identify any section 128 direction.

The grounds on which a Section 128 direction may be made by the Secretary of State are found in the relevant regulations.

Which organisations need to carry out Section 128 check?

The following organisations must carry out these checks: -

Independent Schools
Academies and Free Schools
Education Recruitment/Agency companies

Which people need to have the Section 128 check carries out?

A person who is to participate in any management of an independent school such as: a management position in an independent school, academy or free school as an employee; a trustee of an academy or free school trust; a governor or member of a proprietor body for an independent school; or a governor on any governing body.

Can a Section 128 check be carried out on other staff?

No, the Section 128 check is only to be carried out for a person in a management position in an independent school, academy or free school as an employee; a trustee of an academy or free school trust; a governor or member of a proprietor body for an independent school; or a governor on any governing body.

What does the Section 128 check contain?

This list contains the names of individuals who have been barred from taking part in the management of any independent school (including academies and free schools), under the terms of a direction made by the Secretary of State for Education.

Is a Section 128 check the same as a Enhanced DBS and or Children’s barred list (formally list 99)?

No, a Section 128 check is not the same as an Enhanced DBS check nor a children’s barred list check. A Section 128 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 Section 128 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 management person has a Section 128 sanction against them?

Entry on this list means individuals are barred from taking part in the management of any independent school (including academies and free schools), under the terms of a direction made by the Secretary of State for Education.

How long does a person stay on the Section 128 sanctions list?

A Section 128 sanction is generally a lifetime ban, 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 Section 128 check?

The Department for Education “Keeping Children Safe In Education” statutory guidance for schools and colleges as part of their safer recruitment, selection and pre-employment vetting.

Did you know a Section 128 check must be carried out for staff appointed to management positions?

From 12 August 2015, schools must check whether staff appointed to management positions after that date are subject to a section 128 direction. This does not apply staff promoted internally.

What staff are considered to be in management positions for the purpose of the Section 128 check?

The following staff are considered to be in management positions for the purpose of this check:

headteachers;
all staff on the senior leadership team (including non-teaching);
teaching positions with departmental headship;
proprietors;

Questions arise as to what amounts to 'departmental headship'. There is no specific definition available. Inspectors should check that the school takes a reasonable approach in the context.

Did you know there are two ways to check a Section 128?

Here are two ways to do the check.

For people who are not in regulated activity, it can only be done via NCTL Secure Access. This route is available whether or not the person has a teacher number.
For people in regulated activity, the check can be done either as above or via the DBS as part of checking the barred list. To do the latter, schools must include on the DBS application form, within box 61, Position Applied for: ‘Child Workforce Independent School’. This allows the DBS to confirm if a section 128 direction has been made.

Do I need to record the Section 128 check on my single central record?

Yes. The Section 128 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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