Criminal Records Bureau disclosure
West Herts College has a duty to provide a secure and safe environment
in which learners and staff can obtain the best possible benefit from
studying or working at the College.
Part of the College's duty is to ensure that it does not employ or make
use of the services of a person who has a criminal conviction or record of
behaviour that could pose a threat to the safety and well being of learners
and staff. This procedure will ensure that appropriate checks are made on
College employees and those carrying out services for the College.
West Herts College has a Criminal Records Bureau registered body status
and uses the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), an executive agency of the Home
Office, to assess applicants suitability for positions of trust. West Herts
College complies fully with the CRB Code of Practice and undertakes to treat
all applicants for positions fairly. It undertakes not to discriminate
unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or
other relevant information.
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure enables an employer to
request that a check is carried out on an employee/prospective employee to
confirm any current or spent convictions which may be relevant to an offer
of employment, particularly involving contact with children (under 18) or
other vulnerable members of society. The disclosure service provides access
to records held by:
- the police, for checks relating to cautions and convictions
- the department of Health, for records relating to suitability to
work with children
- the Department of Education and Skills, to ascertain if a person has
been judged to be unsuitable to work with children
At the College it has been assessed that all new academic staff and
business support staff potentially have contact with young persons and as
such a disclosure is required. If you are offered an appointment at the
College, you will be asked to complete a CRB Disclosure Application Form,
and to produce evidence of identity to a member of the Human Resources team.
There are two levels of Disclosure: Enhanced and Standard. Information
can be found on
www.crb.gov.uk. The College will decide which level will apply to
you, depending on the post you have been offered. Prior to your application
being submitted to the CRB, the College will indicate on the Disclosure form
which level will apply to you.
Any offer made to a prospective employee will be subject to a
satisfactory CRB Disclosure.
The CRB check may take several weeks to complete. When completed the CRB
send the disclosure to the individual who has applied and a copy to the
registered body/employer.
If it is determined that employment should not commence the College
undertakes to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the person
seeking the position before withdrawing the offer of employment in writing.
There may be occasions where an employee commences work before the CRB
disclosure is through, in which case a risk assessment will be carried out
by the Human Resources Manager/Director before the commencement of the
employment.
After employment has commenced, should the CRB Disclosure contain
previously undeclared convictions or inaccurate details, the following
factors will be taken into account in determining if the employment should
continue/commence:
- whether the conviction or other matter revealed is relevant to the
post offered
- the seriousness of any offence or other matter revealed
- the length of time since the offence or other matter occurred
- whether the individual has a pattern of offending behaviour or
record that relates to another relevant matter
- whether the individual�s circumstances have changed since the
offending behaviour
- the circumstances surrounding the offence or other matter and the
explanation offered by the individual
West Herts College is committed to the fair treatment of its staff,
potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender,
religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age,
physical/mental disability or offending background. Information on an
applicant�s criminal record will be used only to assess suitability for
employment insofar as it is relevant, therefore applicant�s will be
considered on merit and ability and not discriminated against unfairly.
Staff who are involved in the recruitment process have received
appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to
ex-offenders.
Portability of Disclosures
With effect from 1 April 2006 the CRB have revised guidelines and do not
approve the use of portable Disclosures. Portability of a Disclosure may
only be considered if you are moving from an FE College to West Herts
College without a break in employment, providing it satisfies essential
criteria relevant to the post.
If you have any queries on the CRB Disclosure process do not hesitate to
contact the Human Resources Department on 01923 812000.