Compliance · Cleaning
School cleaning tender: how to answer the safeguarding question
Prepared by TenderChecker. Last reviewed 4 October 2026. General guidance only — every buyer's own instructions and criteria take priority.
Short answer
Start from what the school's documents require. Describe the background checks you carry out, the safeguarding training staff receive and how concerns are reported.
Only state checks and training you genuinely have in place. Do not give legal opinions — follow the buyer's stated requirements.
What the buyer might be asking
- What checks are carried out on staff?
- What safeguarding training is given?
- How are concerns reported to the school?
Worked example (fictional)
Everything in this example — company, people and numbers — is invented for illustration.
Example question: Describe how you will meet the school's safeguarding requirements for cleaning staff working on site. (Max 400 words)
Fictional context: Fictional bidder: Northgate Cleaning Services Ltd. Supplied fictional notes: background checks completed before start; annual safeguarding awareness training; staff sign in at reception.
Weak draft (fictional)
Safeguarding is extremely important to us. All our staff are fully vetted and trained and we always follow best practice.
What the draft misses
- 'Fully vetted' doesn't say which checks.
- No reporting route to the school's lead.
- No on-site conduct rules.
A better version (using only the fictional facts above)
Every operative completes [insert the background check required by the buyer] before starting on site. Staff receive safeguarding awareness training annually [insert provider/content]. Concerns are reported to [insert the school's designated contact] via [insert route]. On site, staff sign in at reception and [insert conduct rules agreed with the school].
Bracketed text marks facts the bidder still needs to supply. Never fill these with invented figures.
Evidence checklist
- ☐ Checks you actually carry out
- ☐ Training content and frequency
- ☐ Reporting route to the school
- ☐ Sign-in and ID arrangements
- ☐ How records are kept
Common mistakes
- Vague 'fully vetted' claims
- Ignoring the school's own policy
- Offering legal interpretations