Education secretary David Blunkett is to write to all schools in the wake of the Billie-Jo Jenkins murder case to r...
Education secretary David Blunkett is to write to all schools in the wake of the Billie-Jo Jenkins murder case to remind them of official guidance on the protection of children, reported the Independent on Sunday (p6).
Matt Dunkley, assistant director of education at East Sussex CC which employed Jenkins, said it had increased vigilance since his complete fabrication of qualifications was revealed. But it had carried out the four basic checks on Jenkins: references; a police check for any criminal record; and confirmation he was a registered qualified teacher and not on List 99 of people unfit to teach.
Sion Jenkins, Billie-Jo's foster father was last week jailed for her
murder. It emerged that he had lied about his educational qualifications to secure his job as a deputy head teacher in East Sussex.
Mr Blunkett is to draw attention to guidance notes first issued in 1993 which say that police checks 'must not take the place of normal personnel procedures and safeguards'. References and educational and professional qualifications should be checked, they say.
The council has suggested the department for education should set up a national computerised system.
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