How to recruit people into unpaid or paid roles with responsibility for children or vulnerable adults, and how to apply for disclosure of any convictions with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Safer Recruitment Policy and Procedure
An essential part of our commitment to promoting a safer church is to ensure that all those who work and volunteer in our churches feel encouraged to offer their services and are suitable for the role in question.
It is vital that we have robust policies in place for recruitment, suitability checking and continued vigilance and support for all volunteers and employees throughout their period of service.
The Church of England website gives comprehensive guidance on Safer Recruitment and People Management Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance | The Church of England
Confidential Declarations and DBS checks
When should a Confidential Declaration be requested?
A Church of England Confidential Declaration form must be completed by all applicants for positions engaging in regulated activity or otherwise working/having substantial contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults which requires an enhanced (with/without barred list) DBS check. Asking applicants to declare their criminal record and other information via a confidential declaration should be done in a way that encourages honesty and openness. Copies of the form and the associated information can be downloaded here:
When should a DBS check be requested?
As an employer of workers and volunteers, we can check someone’s criminal record by ensuring they complete a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check prior to starting a role – although not all church roles will be eligible. A DBS check is usually required for all those working in roles which involve contact with children or vulnerable adults, or those who are responsible for sponsoring or overseeing such activities (as, for example, members of a PCC often are). The key Government guidance: The DBS Regional Outreach service – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
All DBS requests are processed via thirtyone:eight – for more information and guidance contact Mike Tyler.