Criminal Records Bureau vetting of contract/supplier staff

The London Borough of Havering's procedure for CRB vetting is as follows. To read the full Code for safer recruitment, download the PDF on the right.

The aims of the CRB are:

• To increase access to information to help provide protection for children and vulnerable people against those who might wish to harm them.
  
   and
• To allow more informed recruitment decisions to protect customers, staff, volunteers and organisations.

The CRB will provide one of three different levels of criminal record checks called "Disclosures" on receiving an application from a "Registered Body".

A Registered Body is a person or organisation that is likely to ask exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and which is registered as one. The London Borough of Havering is a "Registered Body" with the CRB and as such is committed to complying with the CRB's Code of Practice and is able to countersign applications for standard and enhanced disclosures.

There are three levels of Disclosure as follows:

• Enhanced Disclosure
• Standard Disclosure
• Basic Disclosure

The Council will only be involved in obtaining Enhanced and Standard level Disclosures.

Enhanced Disclosures will be available in respect of individuals applying for positions which

(a) involve regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of persons aged under eighteen or
(b) are exempt from the Rehabilitation Act AND involve regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of vulnerable adults.

An enhanced disclosure will contain the following information:

• details of convictions, including convictions 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
• cautions held at national level
• information from local police records including relevant non-conviction information

Standard disclosure will be available for those whose duties involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults or which are exempt from the rehabilitation of offenders Act

A standard disclosure will contain the following information:

• details of convictions, including convictions 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
• cautions held at national level

Checks on all agency employees working in exempt positions are essential whatever the potential period of employment. These should be undertaken by the agency and current written evidence that a satisfactory Disclosure has been obtained must be provided to the Council.

The Council's Position on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders

As an organisation using the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, the Council complies with the CRB Code of Practice and will treat all applicants for positions fairly. The Council will not discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

The Council is committed to the fair treatment of its employees, potential employees or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, disability, age, marital status, sexuality, religion, background, personality and workstyle or offending background.

This written policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders, will be made available to all Disclosure applicants at the outset of the recruitment process.

The Council actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience.