{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EAdverse information refers to when a criminal record check reveals information that might prevent someone from taking on a certain job or voluntary role.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAt Scouts, when adverse information is revealed from someone\u2019s criminal record check:\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EEngland \u0026amp; Wales\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAtlantic Data will show the status \u201CPlease wait to view applicant certificate\u201D. This means that the Safeguarding Team at UKHQ need to view the disclosure certificate, NOT the local team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAn email is sent from scouts.org.uk to the applicant asking them to post their original disclosure certificate to The Safeguarding Team at HQ. An email is also sent to the relevant Lead Volunteer informing them of the request.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA reminder email (or letter) is sent to the applicant after 10- 15 days if there\u2019s been no response.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf they\u2019ve not responded in 30 days, their Scouts membership will end for non-compliance as they\u2019ve failed to complete the National Vetting process and the level of risk to young people is unknown. The applicant will be sent a letter explaining the decision to decline their membership, with a copy also sent to the relevant Lead Volunteer.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ENorthern Ireland\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe outcome certificate will be provided to the applicant digitally in their Northern Ireland Direct Account (NIDA)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf there is adverse information, the UKHQ Safeguarding Team will need to see the applicant\u2019s certificate so the applicant will need to \u2018Share\u2019 their digital certificate with Scouts HQ by entering the email address: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Disclosures@scouts.org.uk\u0022\u003EDisclosures@scouts.org.uk\u003C/a\u003E within their NIDA account.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAn email is sent from scouts.org.uk to the applicant asking them to share their disclosure with The Safeguarding Team at HQ. An email is also sent to the relevant Lead Volunteer informing them of the request.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf they\u2019ve not responded in 30 days, their Scouts membership will end for non-compliance as they\u2019ve failed to complete the National Vetting process and the level of risk to young people is unknown. The applicant will be sent a letter explaining the decision to decline their membership, with a copy also sent to the relevant Lead Volunteer.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EScotland\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EApplicants in Scotland are not able to volunteer with Scouts until their Scouts\u2019 PVG disclosure is viewed AND risk assessed by the UKHQ Safeguarding Team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe disclosure outcome will be provided to the applicant either digitally in their ScotAccount if their application was online or, if they had a paper application, Disclosure Scotland will send it direct to them.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe applicant is required to \u2018Share\u2019 their disclosure with the UKHQ Safeguarding Team. This applies whether or not there is adverse information on the disclosure.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAn email is sent from scouts.org.uk to the applicant asking them to share their disclosure with The Safeguarding Team at HQ. An email is also sent to the relevant Lead Volunteer informing them of the request.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThose aged 16\u002B whose applications were processed online can do this by clicking a \u2018Share\u2019 button in their ScotAccount when they receive their disclosure.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThose who submitted paper applications will be sent a copy of their outcome by Disclosure Scotland. They will need to contact Disclosure Scotland and ask them to share their disclosure with The Scouts.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u2018Sharing\u2019 with The Scouts means sharing with the UK HQ Safeguarding Team, NOT the local team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe applicant must \u2018share\u2019 their disclosure within 14 days of receiving the outcome for the process to continue. If the applicant does not share their disclosure within 14 days, they can contact Disclosure Scotland and ask if they will re-issue their result but will probably need to start the process again from the beginning.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the original disclosure is received by the UKHQ Safeguarding Team, they will risk assess the adverse information on it, referring to the Safeguarding and Vetting Decision Guidance (see POR \u003Ca href=\u0022/por/16-adult-roles/\u0022 title=\u002216. Adult Roles\u0022\u003EChapter 16: Adult Roles\u003C/a\u003E). This process will also include viewing the applicant\u2019s references on scouts.org.uk and considering any other known information.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe applicant may be asked for further information.\u00A0If the applicant is under 18 and applying to volunteer in Scotland with a PVG, the UKHQ Safeguarding Team will ask the applicant if they are happy for their parents to be involved. Whilst the applicant is legally in control of their own data in Scotland, they are still a young person within Scouting and will be treated with the necessary sensitivities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ESafeguarding and Vetting Decision Guidance \u2013 local consideration\u00A0\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the UKHQ Safeguarding Team have risk-assessed the information from a safeguarding viewpoint and consider the applicant clear to volunteer; \u00A0a letter is sent to the relevant Lead Volunteer for them to consider the applicant\u2019s suitability to volunteer and make a final local decision. The letter will set out the details of the relevant information stated on the disclosure (such as details of the convictions) along with any specific guidance for the relevant Lead Volunteer to discuss with the applicant to support their decision-making.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe information provided is for Lead Volunteers or Volunteer Safeguarding Leads to access only. It\u2019s an offence contrary to S124 of Police Act 1997 / S66 Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 to reveal any information provided through a criminal record check, other than to those directly involved\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EWhat to do locally\u00A0\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELocal approaches will vary depending on the type of role under consideration. \u00A0Applicants should be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding their offence(s). Relevant Lead Volunteers and Volunteer Safeguarding Leads should use this information, and the information provided by the Safeguarding Team, when making their decision. \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EQuestions to ask\u00A0\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs well as any other appropriate questions appropriate for the role, the relevant Lead Volunteer and/or Volunteer Safeguarding Lead should ask the following to support them with their decision-making:\u202F\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat were the circumstances surrounding the offence(s)?\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u202FHow have the volunteer\u2019s circumstances changed since the offence(s)?\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat are their reflections on the offence(s)?\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAny other questions suggested in the letter from the Safeguarding Team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFactors that might also be relevant include:\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETheir age at the time of the offence(s).\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe length of time since the offence(s) occurred.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAre the conviction(s) relevant to the position applied for?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EIssues to consider\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERelevant Lead Volunteers and/or Volunteer Safeguarding Leads should consider the following three points when making their decision:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo the actions of the individual affect the health and welfare of young people? If the answer is \u2018yes\u2019, \u2018probably\u2019 or \u2018possibly\u2019, then careful consideration must be given to their suitability to volunteer.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo the actions of the individual affect the reputation of Scouts? If this volunteer becomes a member of the movement, is it likely to damage our reputation\u00A0in the eyes of parents/ carers, the general public, other organisations and so on?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo the actions of the individual affect themselves, other adults\u00A0and their working relationships? If the individual is allowed to continue working with young people, this could cause problems for them in their private life, employment, reputation in the community and so on.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the applicant is under 18 and applying to volunteer in a Regulated Role in Scotland, adverse information on their disclosure may affect their Young Leader or Young Helper role but if they are an Explorer too, it may or may not affect their Explorer role. The UKHQ Safeguarding Team will advise regarding specific cases.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EPotential Decisions\u00A0\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are three potential outcomes:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAppointment\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 The individual is allowed to join Scouts.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAppointment with restrictions\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 The individual is allowed to join Scouts with some adjustments to their role. For example:\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022 A Beaver Section Team Member with a caution for theft from two years ago is OK to join Scouts, but won\u2019t be allowed to handle funds for their section.\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022 A Team Leader with a conviction for drink driving from three years ago may not drive for any Scouts purposes.\u003Cbr\u003EAny restrictions added to a role must be notified to the Safeguarding Team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENot appointed\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 It isn\u2019t appropriate for the individual to join Scouts at this time. A suitable way to let them know the outcome might be to say:\u003Cbr\u003E\u0027Unfortunately, after considering the information on your criminal record check and given how recent your offences are (or how many offences there are), we can\u2019t let you volunteer with us at this time. We may be able to consider an application from you in the future, subject to you completing the National Vetting Process. Thank you for your time.\u0027\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ECompleting the process\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce a decision has been made locally, the relevant Lead Volunteer must update scouts.org.uk with the outcome on the HQ Return sheet within the applicant\u2019s record. The applicant\u2019s disclosure status can then be updated. Any CE checks for roles can\u2019t be completed until the HQ Return sheet confirms appointment. The National Vetting Process is only complete once this is done.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Find guidance for local consideration of adverse criminal record checks.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":47107,"nodeName":"Adverse criminal record checks","title":"Adverse criminal record checks","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/12108/fdl-hp.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dab8e1b20252a0","caption":"Scouts purple logo","type":"jpg","size":93039,"width":1268,"height":664,"altText":"An image of a purple background showing the white Scouts logo"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Adverse information in criminal record checks","headerSubTitle":"Find guidance for local consideration of adverse criminal record checks","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Find guidance for local consideration of adverse criminal record checks.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzEwNyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/criminal-record-checks/adverse-criminal-record-checks/"}