Education Recruitment Compliance Officer
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Company: SA2UK Outsourcing Ltd / Education Matters Group
Working hours: 9am-5:30pm
Employment type: Full-time
About the Role
We are looking for a highly organised, detail-oriented and proactive Education Recruitment Compliance Officer to join our team in Cape Town.
Working with our UK-based education recruitment agency, you will be responsible for ensuring that teachers, teaching assistants and other education professionals meet the necessary safeguarding, vetting and compliance requirements before being placed in UK schools.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with recruitment compliance experience who understands the importance of safeguarding, accurate record-keeping and maintaining high standards in a fast-paced education recruitment environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Candidate Compliance and Vetting
Manage the end-to-end compliance process for candidates registering with the agency.
Verify candidate identity, right to work in the UK, employment history and relevant qualifications.
Coordinate and verify references in line with agency and client requirements.
Process and track Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, including Enhanced DBS certificates and the Children's Barred List where applicable.
Complete and maintain Single Central Record (SCR) information and candidate compliance files where required.
Verify overseas police checks and overseas work history documentation where applicable.
Ensure all mandatory safeguarding checks are completed before candidates are cleared for work.
Monitor DBS Update Service status and certificate verification requirements where applicable. Documentation and Record-Keeping
Maintain accurate, up-to-date candidate records within the recruitment CRM.
Ensure all compliance documents are correctly uploaded, verified and recorded.
Monitor outstanding documents and follow up with candidates and internal teams to ensure timely completion.
Conduct regular compliance audits and identify gaps or discrepancies in candidate files.
Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive candidate information appropriately. Compliance Monitoring and Reporting
Monitor candidate compliance statuses and ensure deadlines are met.
Prepare compliance reports and provide updates to the recruitment team and management.
Identify potential compliance risks and escalate issues promptly.
Keep up to date with relevant UK education safeguarding requirements, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and applicable client-specific compliance procedures.
Support internal audits and ensure processes align with company policies and contractual requirements. Team Collaboration
Work closely with UK-based recruitment consultants, resourcers and management.
Communicate professionally with candidates, schools and external verification providers.
Provide guidance to the recruitment team on compliance procedures and outstanding requirements.
Help improve internal processes to ensure efficient, consistent and compliant candidate onboarding. Requirements:
Previous experience in recruitment compliance, preferably within UK education recruitment.
Strong understanding of UK education safeguarding and pre-employment vetting requirements.
Knowledge of Enhanced DBS checks, reference verification, right-to-work checks and qualification verification.
Experience managing candidate documentation and compliance records.
Strong administrative, organisational and time-management skills.
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify discrepancies.
Confident written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and recruitment CRM systems.
Ability to work independently while collaborating with a UK-based team.
Comfortable working UK business hours from Cape Town. Desirable Experience
Experience working with UK schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) or education recruitment agencies.
Familiarity with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.
Knowledge of safer recruitment practices and the requirements for supply staff.
Experience with recruitment systems such as JobAdder or Recruitment Bridge.
Understanding of APSCo compliance standards or similar recruitment compliance frameworks. Personal Attributes The successful candidate will be:
Exceptionally organised and methodical.
Reliable, accountable and proactive.
Comfortable managing multiple candidates and deadlines simultaneously.
Professional when handling confidential information.
Confident following up with candidates and colleagues to obtain outstanding documentation.
Committed to safeguarding children and maintaining high compliance standards. What We Offer
The opportunity to work with an established UK education recruitment business.
A supportive and collaborative team environment.
Exposure to UK education recruitment, safeguarding and compliance processes.
The opportunity to develop specialist knowledge within a growing international recruitment operation