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Would-be teachers' crime records Would-be teachers' crime records
(1 day later)
Thousands of teachers apply to work in schools despite criminal records for offences including paedophilia, manslaughter and theft, figures show.Thousands of teachers apply to work in schools despite criminal records for offences including paedophilia, manslaughter and theft, figures show.
Data released by the Criminal Records Bureau under the Freedom of Information Act show that of 248,220 applications in 2008, 6,750 had convictions (2.7%).Data released by the Criminal Records Bureau under the Freedom of Information Act show that of 248,220 applications in 2008, 6,750 had convictions (2.7%).
The information would have gone to prospective employers. There is no central record of their decisions.The information would have gone to prospective employers. There is no central record of their decisions.
The government said the data showed the child protection system was working.The government said the data showed the child protection system was working.
The bureau (CRB) produces "disclosures" on all those seeking to work with children and vulnerable adults.The bureau (CRB) produces "disclosures" on all those seeking to work with children and vulnerable adults.
These include police intelligence about people, as well as actual convictions.These include police intelligence about people, as well as actual convictions.
TheftsThefts
The figures - issued in response to a request by the Daily Mail - relate only to actual convictions logged on the Police National Computer. The figures relate only to actual convictions logged on the Police National Computer.
Of the 6,750 convictions disclosed in 2008 the single biggest group - 2,147 - involved driving with excess alcohol.Of the 6,750 convictions disclosed in 2008 the single biggest group - 2,147 - involved driving with excess alcohol.
There were 358 assaults causing actual bodily harm, 230 thefts with 341 shoplifting offences and 163 "theft by employee" listed separately - and 150 for possessing a controlled drug.There were 358 assaults causing actual bodily harm, 230 thefts with 341 shoplifting offences and 163 "theft by employee" listed separately - and 150 for possessing a controlled drug.
Eleven convictions involved indecent exposure with intent to insult a female, 16 were for gross indecency.Eleven convictions involved indecent exposure with intent to insult a female, 16 were for gross indecency.
Four convictions were for indecently assaulting girls under the age of 16, nine over the age of 16 and two unspecified.Four convictions were for indecently assaulting girls under the age of 16, nine over the age of 16 and two unspecified.
Three were for intercourse with a girl under 16 and four for other sexual activities with those under 18 while in a position of trust, while two involved making indecent images of children.Three were for intercourse with a girl under 16 and four for other sexual activities with those under 18 while in a position of trust, while two involved making indecent images of children.
There was a similar catalogue of criminality in the 2007 disclosures.There was a similar catalogue of criminality in the 2007 disclosures.
Schools' dutySchools' duty
A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "It's important to remember that these figures are for people who applied for a job in teaching and do not refer to those who were appointed.A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "It's important to remember that these figures are for people who applied for a job in teaching and do not refer to those who were appointed.
"These figures show the system is effective in blocking those who should not be working with children.""These figures show the system is effective in blocking those who should not be working with children."
She added that schools had a duty to follow good recruitment and employment practice to help protect children.She added that schools had a duty to follow good recruitment and employment practice to help protect children.
But there have been a number of reports of the vetting system failing to work properly.But there have been a number of reports of the vetting system failing to work properly.
Last year Surrey County Council had to act after an Ofsted report said checks for staff working with children were "unacceptable and dangerous".Last year Surrey County Council had to act after an Ofsted report said checks for staff working with children were "unacceptable and dangerous".
Ofsted said high numbers of staff had not been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), despite claims by the council all staff were verified.Ofsted said high numbers of staff had not been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), despite claims by the council all staff were verified.
One voluntary agency providing services to young people could not confirm if workers had been checked or not.One voluntary agency providing services to young people could not confirm if workers had been checked or not.
Equivalent figures for other parts of the UK were not readily available.Equivalent figures for other parts of the UK were not readily available.