Child protection
is where we start.
Every NUPAF educator must meet our full safeguarding requirements before any placement is confirmed. Our framework aligns with UK statutory safeguarding guidance, international child protection standards, and the local authority requirements of every destination country.
A safeguarding-first culture across every jurisdiction.
Zero tolerance toward harm.
NUPAF operates a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of harm to children. Where credible concerns are raised, action is immediate. We do not negotiate, we do not delay, and we do not place educators who fail any element of our safeguarding standard.
The same bar in every market.
The Enhanced DBS check, international background screening, and four mandatory training modules apply equally to every educator we place — regardless of destination country. Local minimum standards do not lower our standard.
Annual review, never static.
Every educator's safeguarding status is reviewed annually via the NUPAF mentor programme. DBS certificates and training are renewed every three years, with refresher modules published as standards evolve.
Transparent to schools.
Partner schools have visibility into the full safeguarding audit trail of every educator placed by NUPAF. Designated school safeguarding leads can request the underlying records at any time.
Every NUPAF educator must clear these checks before placement.
Enhanced DBS check
Children's Workforce category, applied for via the DBS Update Service. Verified by NUPAF before placement is confirmed. Renewed every three years.
International background check
Legalised criminal background check for every country of residence in the past three years. Required for work permit applications across all NUPAF destination countries.
Safeguarding training (4 modules)
Four mandatory training modules covering child protection principles, safer recruitment, online safety, and country-specific safeguarding protocols. Approximately 2.5 hours total.
Policy & code of conduct
Formal acceptance of NUPAF's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, signed before placement is confirmed. Includes obligations on reporting, conduct with students, technology use, and whistle-blowing.
Two professional references
Two verified professional references — at least one from a most recent education employer where applicable. NUPAF contacts referees directly; declarations from candidates are not accepted.
Annual renewal & refresher
Every placed educator participates in an annual safeguarding refresher session via the NUPAF mentor programme. DBS certificates are reverified every three years.
The audit trail behind every NUPAF placement.
Original DBS certificate verified directly.
Educators upload their Enhanced DBS certificate to their secure NUPAF portal. NUPAF verifies the certificate against the DBS Update Service before placement is confirmed. We do not accept self-declarations or expired checks.
Legalised foreign checks reviewed in-country.
For candidates with residence outside the UK in the past three years, NUPAF requires a legalised (apostilled) criminal background check from each country of residence. NUPAF's in-country teams verify these documents against destination-country immigration requirements.
Tracked completion in the secure portal.
The four mandatory safeguarding modules are delivered through the NUPAF teacher portal, with completion tracked at the module level. Annual refresher participation is logged through the mentor programme.
Direct referee contact, no candidate intermediation.
NUPAF contacts every referee directly, using contact details verified independently of the candidate. Reference responses are recorded in the candidate's compliance file and made available to partner schools on request.
Concerns or questions? Contact us directly.
If you are a school, parent, educator, or member of the public with a safeguarding concern relating to a NUPAF placement — or if you would like to verify a NUPAF educator's compliance status — contact our designated safeguarding lead directly.