SCR Audits: Close Every Safeguarding Gap in Just 3 Days

Safeguarding is one of the most critical responsibilities for schools, and the Single Central Record (SCR) is at the heart of compliance. It is a live document that records all pre-employment checks for staff, volunteers, governors, and contractors. However, maintaining an accurate and up-to-date SCR is no small task. Schools often face challenges such as legacy records, human error, and evolving statutory requirements outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

At OnlineSCR, we are proud to introduce a comprehensive SCR audit service that reviews every single record on your SCR, not just recent starters or specific staff categories. This industry-first service ensures schools can confidently meet compliance standards.

What Makes Our Service Unique?

Our SCR audit service stands out for its depth, speed, and actionable insights. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Whole-Record Audit – Unlike traditional audits that focus on recent starters or specific staff categories, our service reviews every single record in your SCR. This includes teaching staff, non-teaching staff, agency workers, volunteers, governors, and contractors. By auditing all records, we ensure no gaps are left unnoticed.
2. Rapid Turnaround – Time is critical when it comes to safeguarding compliance. Schools can book an audit by phone or email with one of our educational experts. The audit is typically completed within 1 to 3 working days. This rapid turnaround helps schools address issues promptly and avoid delays during inspections.
3. Statutory and Non-Statutory Checks – Our audit covers both statutory requirements (e.g., DBS checks, barred list checks, prohibition checks) and non-statutory best practices (e.g., safeguarding training records, internet/social media checks). This comprehensive approach ensures your SCR not only meets legal standards but also reflects best practices in safeguarding.
4. Detailed Reporting – The audit report provides:
   1. A breakdown of statutory and non-statutory gaps.
   2. Colour-coded findings for easy identification:
      • Red: Statutory gaps requiring immediate attention.
      • Yellow: Non-statutory gaps or good practice recommendations.
   3. Direct citations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for each finding.
   4. Practical recommendations for resolving gaps.
5. Confidentiality Guaranteed – To protect sensitive information, all audits are conducted using secure processes.

How Does the Audit Process Work?

1. Booking Your Audit – To book your audit, give our team a call on 0151 606 5101, or email oscr@onlinescr.co.uk
2. Data Submission – After booking your audit, securely send us your SCR data.
3. Audit Execution – Our team conducts a meticulous review of all records:
   1. Cross-referencing against KCSIE statutory requirements.
   2. Identifying inconsistencies or missing fields.
   3. Highlighting areas for improvement based on best practices.
4. Report Delivery – We will send you a detailed PDF report outlining findings and actionable insights. This is usually provided within 1 to 3 working days.

Real Impact: A School’s Experience

A school approached us ahead of an upcoming Ofsted inspection with concerns about their SCR's accuracy. Despite regular internal reviews, they suspected gaps in older records might pose a risk.

Results After Our Audit:

1. Identified several statutory gaps across teaching and non-teaching staff records.
2. Highlighted non-statutory improvements to enhance safeguarding practices.
3. Delivered a detailed report that allowed them to address issues promptly before their inspection.

"The audit was incredibly thorough and gave us peace of mind knowing our entire SCR was compliant." – School Leadership Team

What Does Our Audit Cover?

Based on Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidelines, our audit covers:

Statutory Checks:

1. Identity Check
2. Children's Barred List
3. Enhanced DBS Check
4. Prohibition from Teaching Check
5. Overseas Check
6. Professional Qualifications (including QTS)
7. Right to Work
8. Section 128 Check
9. Relevant Activity (Colleges only)
10. Written Confirmation Checks for Agency/Third Party Staff

Non-Statutory Checks:

1. Employment Start Date
2. Job Title/Company Name
3. Documents Evidenced/Further Notes
4. Childcare Disqualification (if required)
5. References
6. Medical Fitness
7. Internet/Social Media Check
8. Safeguarding Training
9. Safer Recruitment Training

Our report highlights any gaps or inconsistencies in these areas using colour-coded findings for clarity.

Why Schools Choose Our Service

1. Inspection Readiness – Be prepared for inspections with a fully compliant SCR that meets all statutory requirements.
2. Time Efficiency – Save hours of administrative work with our rapid turnaround – no need for lengthy manual reviews.
3. Comprehensive Coverage – Ensure compliance across all staff categories—not just recent starters or high-risk roles.
4. Expertise You Can Trust – With over 1,400 audits completed to date, our team brings unmatched experience in safeguarding compliance.
5. Future-Proofing Your Records – Our recommendations help schools adopt best practices that minimise future risks and ensure long-term compliance.