Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures

Policy Statement

As an organisation using the Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, Framework 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 a conviction or other information revealed. Any worker or potential worker can obtain a copy of the Criminal Records Code of Practice on request. Please contact the Human Resources Manager at Framework’s central office.

Framework is committed to equality of opportunity in its work and has a written Equality & Diversity Policy available to potential and existing workers on request. Framework is committed to the fair treatment of potential workers regardless of any offending background.

Framework has a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which is made available to all Disclosure applicants at the outset of the recruitment process.

Handling, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosures

Framework complies fully with the CRB Code of Practice regarding the correct handling, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure Information.

It also complies fully with its obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998 and other relevant legislation pertaining to the safe handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure information.

Criminal Records Disclosures will only be obtained for individuals who have been given a preliminary offer of employment. Disclosure information will be kept in a non portable cabinet or cupboard kept locked at all times and only those with the authority to view such information as part of their duties will have access.

Handling

In accordance with section 124 of the Policy Act 1997, Disclosure Information is only passed to those who are authorised to receive it in the course of their duties.

Usage

Disclosure information is only used for the specific purpose for which it was requested, which for Framework, is for minimising risk in Recruitment and Selection of workers.

Retention

The Disclosure information document will be retained until the worker has been successfully assessed at their probationary appraisal six months after they began employment with Framework. Where a probationary assessment is delayed or where other specific issues arises that necessitate the retention of a Disclosure beyond six months, the Criminal Records Bureau will be approached for permission to retain the document for a longer period of time.

Retention of Disclosure information documents for workers at Framework’s Registered Care Home will be retained for 12 months or until the next Care Standards Inspection Visit.

Disposal

Disclosure Information will be confidentially shredded.

Disputes

If an individual disputes the content of a Criminal Record Disclosure, they should contact the Human Resources Manager who will process their dispute in line with guidelines published by the Criminal Records Bureau. Monitoring of this Policy will be undertaken to ensure compliance.