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Briefing an agency-placed SEN teacher before they work with pupils is a safeguarding requirement. This guide explains what the school must cover, what the agency is responsible for and how to make the briefing effective.
Briefing and onboarding a SEN teacher placed through an agency involves two distinct responsibilities. The agency is responsible for pre-placement compliance: DBS check, right-to-work verification, employment history checks and safeguarding training confirmation. The school is responsible for setting-specific induction: ensuring the teacher understands the specific pupils, relevant EHCP provisions, behaviour support plans, health protocols, the school’s safeguarding pathway and the information they need to fulfil the role safely. Neither responsibility can be delegated to the other party.
SENDhelp places specialist SEN teachers, teaching assistants and support staff across North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
The school must receive confirmation of: enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list, right-to-work verification, identity verification, employment history and reference checks, prohibition from teaching check and safeguarding training confirmation. DfE staffing guidance for schools requires the same checks for supply staff as for directly employed staff. The school must see documentation and verify it is complete and current before the teacher arrives.
The school’s induction must cover: specific pupils and their SEN profiles, relevant EHC plan provisions for each pupil, behaviour support plans and positive handling protocols, communication systems for pupils using AAC, health and medical protocols, the school’s safeguarding reporting pathway, who the designated safeguarding lead is and building layout and key procedures. This is a safeguarding requirement that cannot be skipped even when time is short.
For a qualified SEN class teacher, induction must also cover curriculum and lesson planning arrangements, the school’s behaviour management approach, marking and feedback expectations and specific protocols for specialist SEN subjects or provision areas. The teacher needs enough information to function safely and effectively on day one.
For any placement involving pupils with EHCPs, the teacher must be briefed on each relevant plan’s provision section: the type and hours of support specified, the outcomes the provision supports, specific strategies or interventions required and any health, behaviour or communication protocols. For longer placements, the teacher should have access to relevant EHCP sections.
The induction should be followed by ongoing support: regular check-ins from the SENCO or line manager, opportunities to ask questions and raise concerns, feedback on how the placement is progressing and access to the SENCO for advice on individual pupil situations. A brief daily check-in in the first week prevents small issues becoming significant problems.
Schools should document that an induction was provided, noting the date, who conducted it and the areas covered. This provides Ofsted evidence that the school fulfilled its duty of care and supports Single Central Record governance. Where an agency teacher raises a safeguarding concern, documented briefing on reporting procedures is important for demonstrating proper arrangements were in place.
For related guidance see our articles on SEN teacher job specification guide and QTS, PGCE and SEN specialist qualifications.
The school is responsible for setting-specific induction which cannot be delegated to the agency. The agency is responsible for pre-placement compliance. Both must be fulfilled before the teacher works with any pupils. The school cannot rely on the agency to brief the teacher on specific pupils and EHCP provisions, and the agency cannot fulfil the school’s safeguarding obligations on its behalf.
KCSIE requires all pre-employment checks to be complete before a candidate starts. There is a very limited exception in urgent circumstances but only with documented risk assessment and supervision. Schools should not routinely allow agency teachers to start without completed DBS checks. A specialist agency maintains pre-completed DBS records for all candidates, enabling same-day placements without compromising safeguarding.
A thorough induction for an agency SEN class teacher may take one to two hours on the first morning. For a TA in a specific role, 30 minutes is the minimum. The investment in induction time pays back many times over in placement quality and safety. Schools that rush or skip inductions create risk for pupils and increase the chance of the placement failing.
Visit our SEN teaching resources hub for guides on staffing, compliance, qualifications and specialist provision.
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