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Background Checks (EU)

Answer

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure process does not make a distinction between UK nationals and EU or other nationals where it is considered appropriate to undertake a Disclosure application. For posts in schools, applicants from overseas are subject to the same vetting procedures as UK applicants.However, where staff are recruited from countries outside the UK, the CRB's checks of the police national computer, local police force intelligence, the Protection of Children Act list and List 99 may not be sufficient, particularly where job applicants are newly arrived or have recently lived abroad. The CRB has an overseas information service to provide help with this. If it is considered that a Disclosure may not represent a complete picture of an individual's non-UK record the overseas information service provides guidance on how to obtain further information from a current list of 21 EU and non-EU countries.The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) also currently advise employers to take additional steps in employment checks on overseas candidates and to seek information as to any criminal history from the authorities in their country of origin wherever possible.In addition, with effect from 21 May 2006, when the European Council decision on the Exchange of Criminal History Records between member states will come into effect, the UK will have the ability to request criminal conviction information held on nationals of other member states. It is the intention that the CRB will be able to subsequently incorporate into its Disclosure service the ability to request such information directly through the UK Central authority for the exchange of information set up in accordance with the Act.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

68674; 446 c714-5W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Migrant workers Vetting Schools

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk