All self-employed tutors should be legally required to have a criminal records check before they can offer private lessons to children in the UK, children's charity the NSPCC says.

A current loophole means self-employed tutors do not have to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

The NSPCC says this loophole creates an "ideal scenario" for "any predatory adult seeking to harm children".

The Home Office said it would "carefully consider" the comments.

Teachers working in schools must have a DBS check, which looks for criminal records and ensures they have not been banned from working with children or suspended from the profession.

Many tutoring agencies will insist on an up-to-date check on their staff, but some do not - and individuals setting up privately are not legally required to have a DBS certificate.

Employers and licensed bodies can request DBS checks, but individuals cannot, meaning parents and tutors cannot run such checks.

Now, the NSPCC is calling for a tightening of the law to ensure every individual giving private tuition undergoes a check, saying the same rules should apply for self-employed tutors as for classroom teachers.

Read more...


Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.


10/06/25'I couldn't imagine not teaching full-time - until I had my baby'

Alice returned to work three days a week at Oasis Academy Warndon in April and is on a flexible working arrangement for the next year, which means she can also take Oliver to regular baby group sessions. She believes delivering more flexible working options for teachers - especially those who are new parents - is going to be key to addressing ongoing issues with recruitment and retention in the profession. She wants all new parent teachers to be offered such flexibility, to allow them to "feel confident that taking that step forward in their personal life isn't going to lead to a step back in their professional life".

02/06/25£740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND

£740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND New SEND places to create more inclusive classrooms in mainstream schools, delivering on Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity. From: Department for Education and The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP Published 27 March 2025

29/05/25Children with special needs in England may lose legal right to school support plans

Hundreds of thousands of children with special needs could lose their legal entitlement to extra support in schools in England under plans being considered by ministers, a move that campaigners warn could force thousands more pupils out of mainstream education.

23/05/25More Teachers to benefit from flexible working Government extend successful programme that supports teachers to plan lessons from home, job-share or work flexible hours.

Press release More Teachers to benefit from flexible working. Government extend successful programme that supports teachers to plan lessons from home, job-share or work flexible hours.

20/05/25Headteachers in England, Wales and NI say Send provision crisis is worsening

Headteachers in England, Wales and NI say Send provision crisis is worsening Nine out of 10 school leaders tell survey they are finding it harder to meet special needs of pupils than a year ago. Almost all (98%) of the respondents to a National Association of Head Teachers’ (NAHT) poll covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland said they did not have the resources to meet the needs of all their pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).