Written question asked by Jenny Willott (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 18 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 20 June 2008. It was answered by Lord Brennan of Canton (Labour) on Monday, 30 June 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Departmental Vetting

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what procedures his Department follows for checking the criminal records of employees; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: All individuals recruited to the Department are subject to a basic criminal records check. As part of the application process individuals complete a self-declaration of their criminal records.In line with the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard the Department undertakes a full independent check of unspent criminal records for all successful applicants, who are not in a regulated post.In addition to the Baseline Security checks, all individuals recruited to a regulated post, or to a post where they have access to personal or sensitive data about children or vulnerable adults, have been subject to, or are currently undergoing, enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, as a matter of course.

Secondary information