IPPN

Published: 01 December 2021

At present, many schools are short-staffed and are seeking substitutes, who are difficult to source. In such a situation, additional caution is required.

Ensuring that children are safe and protected is a fundamental duty and a legal requirement of every Board of Management (BoM). School leaders are advised to be careful when appointing substitute teachers or SNAs in this regard. IPPN advises that school leaders keep the BoM, through the Chairperson, fully informed of the employment of all substitutes and that both the Chairperson and school leader carefully consider each substitute employment.

All persons acting as substitute teachers are required to have completed the required garda vetting process prior to their employment and to provide documentation to this effect to the principal on commencement of substitute work. This documentation includes:

In relation to registered teachers and PME students with a Teaching Council Number: 

• Vetting Disclosure, as per Circular 31/2016, in the case of registered teachers
• Teaching Council Registration Documentation, in the case of registered teachers
• Form of Undertaking (Circular 31/2016) in relation to all substitutes
• Photo ID e.g. driving licence or passport
• PPS Number
• Contact details of relevant recent employers for independent reference checking.

In relation to student teachers without a Teaching Council Number:

• College Vetting Documentation in relation to Student Teachers
• Form of Undertaking (Circular 31/2016) in relation to all substitutes
  
• Have a support and supervision plan* in place
•  Photo ID e.g. driving licence or passport
• PPS Number
• Contact details of relevant recent employers for independent reference checking.

In relation to unqualified substitute teachers employed under the “5 Day Rule”

• Garda Vetting documentation from Patron body in relation to Statutory Declaration Form & signed
• Form of Undertaking (Circular 31/2016) in relation to all substitutes
• Photo ID e.g. driving licence or passport
• PPS Number
• Contact details of relevant recent employers for independent reference checking.

*This plan would ask teachers in surrounding classrooms, administrative principals and DPs to be aware that a student teacher was working in a classroom as a sub. They might be asked to “pop in” occasionally to ensure that the student was supported and supervised. The plan might also mandate that the student teacher’s classroom door remains open. The BoM would be fully aware of the support and supervision plan as a measure to mitigate any issues arising from the inexperience of a student teacher.