I am writing to make a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I am seeking information regarding the services offered by your local authority to schools within your jurisdiction. Specifically, I would like to obtain the following information:

1. Please provide details of which kinds of agency services/staff, if any, that your local authority offers to schools within your jurisdiction. (i.e. Catering staff, Cleaners, Site Keepers)
The Council offers school catering and cleaning as a traded service. These services are 100% outsourced to specialists suppliers, who are responsible to ensure adequate level of resources. As part of the procurement process, the recruitment and the safeguarding polices and practices of the appointed suppliers are evaluated to ensure that the Council’s safeguarding requirements can be met.

2. Are the staff members who deliver these services expected to comply with the guidance outlined in "Keeping Children Safe in Education"?
Where schools are using the traded services for School meal Catering and / or cleaning services. The staff working in schools are directly employed by the contracted suppliers. All staff are required to have valid DBS checks and comply with any requirements for safeguarding of vulnerable groups.

3. What vetting checks does your local authority carry out, in line with safer recruitment practices, for agency staff members who you provide to work within schools?
Please refer to answer of question 1 above.

4. Are the members of staff who are assigned to work within schools vetted through a Social Media/Online Check?
As per the response to question 1, this will depend on the supplier’s recruitment policy and practices, which are evaluated as part of the procurement process.