SWSG Guidance Package, Index Ref F.19

17 October 1990

Dear Colleague

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS:

STAFF EMPLOYED IN THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY RESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR ADULTS

Summary

This Circular advises local authorities of the introduction of new arrangements for the disclosure of past convictions of persons who are under consideration for appointment to the management of local authority residential establishments for adults.

Background

Circular No SWSG9/89 (now revised) introduced arrangements for disclosure of information on the convictions of persons seeking to work with children. Circular SWSG3/90 extended these arrangements to apply to past convictions of persons seeking registration in respect of or employment in the management of voluntary or private residential homes for adults. This circular extends the arrangements for disclosure of convictions to include persons seeking employment in the management of residential establishments for adults run by the local authority, or who are employees of the authority and are being considered for appointment to such a management post. The circumstances in which checks should be requested are set out in paragraphs 14 and 15 of Circular SWSG9/89 referred to above.

Extending the reporting arrangements in this way denotes some further progress in giving local authorities access to information which can help to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable people. Further progress will be considered as the Scottish Criminal Record Office’s resources permit. The current change will serve to place on the same footing in all client fields disclosure in respect of prospective managers of residential social work accommodation in both the statutory and independent sectors.

Action

With immediate effect local authorities will be able to obtain information on past convictions on the categories of persons identified above direct from the Scottish Criminal Records Office (SCRO):

Strathclyde Police Headquarters

Pitt Street

GLASGOW

G2 4JS

Circular No SWSG3/90 requested local authorities to return completed forms of indemnity against misuse of the information provided. It will not be necessary for them to submit additional indemnity forms in respect of the extended coverage available under this Circular, provided requests for information are made through one of the signatories to the earlier indemnity forms.

The opportunity is taken to remind authorities of the application to the arrangements set out in this circular of the guidance on handling of SCRO information contained in revised paragraphs 18-22 and 24-26 in Circular SWSG9/89, and of SCRO's preference for requests using a standard form. The revised version of this form is attached at Annex A.

Contact Point

Please direct any enquiries about this Circular to Mr Trevor Hall, Social Work Services Group, Room 44, James Craig Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3BA

(telephone: 0131-244-5455).

Yours faithfully

GAVIN ANDERSON

ANNEX A

2. (NAME OF ORGANISATION) 1. (AGENCY LOGO OR CREST)

3. (ADDRESS)

The Officer-in-Charge 4. Ref:

Scottish Criminal Record Office

Strathclyde Police HQ 5. Tel:

173 Pitt Street

GLASGOW 6. Date:

G2 4JS

Dear Sir

CONVICTION ENQUIRY

The particulars given below were supplied by the subject who has given written permission for the check to be made and, if the category concerned is excepted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, is aware that any spent convictions will be disclosed.

7. The reason for the check is that the subject is seeking employment in the management of a local authority residential home for adults.

8. ....................................................... 9. ............................................................

Authorised Signatory Full Name and Designation

_________________________________________________________________________

SUBJECTS:

10. Surname(s) (Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) ......................................................................

11. Forenames ......................................................................

12. Maiden Name (if applicable) ......................................................................

13. Date of Birth ......................................................................

14. Occupation: ......................................................................

15. Current Address ......................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

16. Duration of residence at current address ......................................................................

17. Previous address:

....................................................... from ....................... to .............................

....................................................... from ....................... to .............................

....................................................... from ....................... to .............................

_________________________________________________________________________

For SCRO use only