When choosing a recruitment agency to supply teaching staff, schools need confidence that their partner operates to the highest professional and legal standards. That's why GAC Education is proud to be a fully accredited member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) — the UK's leading body for the recruitment industry.
What Is the REC?
The Recruitment & Employment Confederation is the professional body that sets and upholds standards across the UK recruitment industry. REC membership is not automatic — agencies must demonstrate compliance with a strict code of professional practice, undergo regular audits, and meet ongoing standards around governance, financial probity, and candidate welfare.
Only agencies that meet these rigorous requirements are permitted to use the REC member badge — a mark of quality that schools can trust.
What Does REC Accreditation Mean for Schools?
- Compliance guarantee — REC members must comply with all relevant employment legislation, including Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), GDPR, safeguarding requirements, and tax legislation. Schools can be confident they are working with a legally compliant agency.
- Rigorous vetting standards — REC members are required to follow best practice in candidate screening, including DBS checks, right-to-work verification, qualification checks, and reference gathering. This means every teacher or TA we place has been thoroughly vetted.
- Financial stability — REC members must demonstrate sound financial management, giving schools assurance that their recruitment partner is stable and reliable.
- Professional conduct — The REC Code of Professional Practice governs how members interact with clients and candidates. Schools can expect honest, transparent, and ethical dealings at all times.
- Complaints and redress — If any issue arises, the REC provides an independent complaints procedure, giving schools an additional layer of protection beyond standard contractual remedies.
How REC Membership Sets Us Apart
Not all recruitment agencies are REC members. Many smaller or newer agencies operate without any industry accreditation, meaning schools have less assurance about their processes, compliance, and standards. By choosing an REC-accredited agency like GAC Education, schools know they are working with a partner that has been independently verified and is held to account by an external professional body.
Our REC membership reflects our commitment to going above and beyond minimum legal requirements. We invest in continuous professional development for our consultants, maintain robust safeguarding procedures, and regularly review our processes to ensure we meet the latest regulatory standards.
REC Accreditation and Safeguarding
Safeguarding is paramount in education recruitment. As an REC member, we adhere to the Confederation's strict guidance on safer recruitment practices. This includes enhanced DBS checks for all candidates, thorough reference checks covering a minimum period, verification of teaching qualifications and QTS status, and ongoing monitoring of candidate suitability. Schools can be confident that every professional we supply has undergone a comprehensive safeguarding process.
What Schools Should Look For
When evaluating recruitment agencies, we encourage schools to ask: Are you an REC member? Can you provide your REC membership number? Do you follow the REC Code of Professional Practice? These simple questions can help schools distinguish between agencies that meet industry standards and those that don't.
Partner with Confidence
At GAC Education, our REC accreditation is just one part of our commitment to excellence. Combined with our deep knowledge of the education sector, our dedicated consultant model, and our focus on long-term school partnerships, it means you can trust us to deliver the quality, compliance, and professionalism your school deserves. Get in touch today to find out how we can support your staffing needs.