for Teachers
I have a criminal record, but it was for a minor offense years ago. Can I register?
It depends. Our criteria are necessarily stringent. Happy Schools works with multiple law enforcement agencies involving various criminal codes, criminal records checks procedures and privacy acts. It is difficult to undertake the task of subjectively reviewing criminal records and assessing their severity. As far as this program is concerned, when it comes to working with children, there are very few exceptions to the following rule: a criminal record is a criminal record. For details, please click here. Please note: You may have the right to apply to have your record expunged, sealed or declared spent. Contact your local law enforcement agency for more information.
I am currently teaching abroad. How do I get a criminal records check here?
Law enforcement agencies in most countries allow for criminal records processing from abroad. Contact your consulate or embassy for more information as policies and procedures vary from country to country. If arrangements cannot be made from abroad, don't panic. Participating schools are given a grace period to meet Happy Schools' compliance criteria. Within one year of joining, every teacher much be Happy Schools registered. That may or may not allow for a trip to your home country.
Why Happy Schools? Can't I just submit a criminal records check directly to the school?
If your school isn't a member of the program, you don't have to register with Happy Schools. They may not care if you have a criminal record at all. As I conscientious teacher, we're hoping you do care about the safety of your students and the state of your profession. Happy Schools is for teachers who want to make a difference. By participating and helping to create a minimum employment standard you will be contributing to teaching opportunity that holds no place for pedophiles and others who would exploit a situation which, right now, is for the most part unregulated.
Why don't schools request and process criminal records checks themselves?
Some do, but the vast majority don't. The reasons vary, but in most cases it's this simple: It's not easily done. Teacher recruitment is already a daunting task for most schools. From advertising and interviewing to contractual negotiations and visa processing, schools have enough to do in most cases. That's where Happy Schools comes in. We confirm records checks for them. They don't have to wonder if they've read the documentation correctly or worry that's its been altered or forged.
Is it really that big of a problem? How many convicted criminals go abroad to teach?
More than you think! Whether the situation involves drug related crimes or pedophilia, instances are in the rise in Asia, the Americas and just about everywhere else the opportunity to teach English affords criminals access to new markets and new victims.