Boarding Schools’ Association launches due diligence service for student recruitment

In a statement on the new service launched today, the Boarding Schools’ Association said that recruitment of international students is hugely beneficial to the UK independent school sector but that the risks must be “appropriately considered and mitigated through the admissions process”.

BSA said that schools needed to be sure that the source of international fee income is from legal means and that admissions staff need to be able to conduct due diligence on parents and other fee payers.

“It is possible that schools may inadvertently breach sanctions regulations and become exposed to significant reputational risks where the source of international funds is not being adequately reviewed. Student sponsor schools also have a duty to ensure they are recruiting genuine international students, mitigating against the risk of exploitation and trafficking,” the association said.

The BSA/Verisio service will include checks on sanctions/watch lists, high-risk jurisdictions, negative global media, sources of wealth and political exposure.

BSA said that new Due Diligence service will combine Verisio’s expertise in ethical and effective international due diligence with BSA’s understanding of UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) requirements for independent schools to ensure best practice.

“This is a data-driven solution to the money laundering and people trafficking risks posed by international applicants to UK independent schools,” BSA said.

Click here to read more about the BSA Due Diligence Service for international student recruitment.