The Teaching Regulation Agency – the new teaching profession regulation

As of 1 April 2018, the teaching profession is regulated by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). The TRA is an executive agency of the Department of Education (DfE) and replaces the former regulator, the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL).

The NCTL existed from 29 March 2013 to 31 March 2018. The regulations of the teaching profession will continue to be handled by the TRA. Staff at the NCTL and the DfE will combine into one team to help to attract the best and brightest into the profession, and support teachers at every stage of their career.

The DfE will take on the following function:

• Teacher recruitment – meaning closer coordination between the work already underway to improve schools and strengthen the profession, and to aid with the delivery of support to teachers in classrooms.

The two main operational functions of the TRA include:

1. Teacher Qualification Unit –provides employers with access to the database of qualified teachers and includes assistance with the pre-recruitment checks to ensure teachers are appropriately qualified; and
2. Teacher Misconduct Unit – aimed at taking action on receipt of allegations and referrals of serious teacher misconduct as well as supporting employers, schools and headteachers with safeguarding responsibilities.

Allegations can be referred to the TRA if they relate to anyone undertaking teaching work in any type of school. Where needed, the TRA can prohibit a teacher from teaching in schools. Misconduct allegations against a teacher may be referred to the TRA by a teacher’s employer, member of the pupil, the police or the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The TRA has the ultimate vision to maintain a high standard of teaching, therefore ‘allowing every child access to a high quality education’.

It is not anticipated that there will be any substantive changes in practice for the profession.

For more information please contact our expert Education team.