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CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU

The English Lacrosse Association Policy Statement on the use of CRB checks in Safeguarding Children and Young People.

Note this Policy relates only to Children, Young People under the age of 18.

Background

  • The English Lacrosse Association is committed to creating a safe environment for children, young people involved in the game.
  • This includes ensuring that people with a history of relevant and significant offending are prevented form contact with children or young people and do not have the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children, young people or vulnerable young adults.  This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within lacrosse.  It is also to reduce the risk of such negative influences as drugs, other substance abuse, racism, violence towards others and significant dishonesty.  This is not an exhaustive list but indicates the concerns of The English Lacrosse Association has about the people caring for and working with children, young people and vulnerable young adults in lacrosse.
  • The English Lacrosse Association recognises that many people who offend against children, young people or vulnerable adults are not caught and that offending can be undetected for many years.  This means people who offend may not have a criminal record or even a history of allegations against them.  Recognising this The English Lacrosse Association sits this Policy alongside its Child Protection Policy believing that it is the responsibility of The English Lacrosse Association to protect children, young people and vulnerable young adults.  A holistic and vigilant approach to the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable young adults must be taken.
  • The English Lacrosse Association is enabled by the legislation to use the Criminal Records Bureau and its disclosure system to contribute to the assessment of the suitability of applicants and existing volunteers to work with and care for children, young people and vulnerable young adults. 
  • This will only form part of the assessment of a person’s suitability but may rule them out of junior lacrosse; regardless of their other skills and talents should the offence(s) be significant and relevant.
  • The English Lacrosse Association will make all decisions in the best interests of children, young people and vulnerable adults and will balance the relevance and significance of the offence(s) and the rehabilitation of the offender with the need to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe.

POLICY STATEMENT

1.      The English Lacrosse Association will comply fully with the CRB code of practice, which can be found at www.disclosure.gov.uk and will treat all applicants and existing staff and volunteers fairly.  It will not discriminate unfairly against an individual on the basis of a disclosure of conviction or other information received from the CRB.

2.      The English Lacrosse Association will make CRB disclosures mandatory for both existing employees and volunteers within lacrosse as well as new applicants.

3.      The English Lacrosse Association is committed to recruiting and retaining volunteers and to their fair treatment regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, sensory impairment, physical or learning disability or offending background.  The English Lacrosse Association recognises the importance of a mix of talent, skills, potential, background, knowledge and experience and wishes to recruit and retain volunteers on this basis.  The English Lacrosse Association wishes to positively welcome a wide range of people who can provide role modules and support to all children, young people and vulnerable adults.

4.      The English Lacrosse Association will ensure that its guidance on the recruitment and retention of volunteers in lacrosse makes clear when a CRB check will be required.  The English Lacrosse Association will ensure that all affiliated clubs are informed of this guidance; This is to ensure that volunteers can make an informed choice as to whether or not proceed/continue with their offer of help.

5.      As the applicant will be involved with children, young people and vulnerable adults The English Lacrosse Association will consider:

  • Whether the conviction or other matter revealed is relevant to the position in question
  • The seriousness of any offence or other matter occurred
  • The length of time since the offence or other matter occurred
  • Whether the applicant has a pattern of offending behaviour or other relevant matters
  • Whether the applicants circumstances have changed since the offending behaviour or the other relevant matter.
  • The circumstances surrounding the offence and the explanations offered

6.      The English Lacrosse Association will ensure that all persons involved in making decisions or recommendations on its behalf following a CRB check are themselves subject to similar vetting and are properly trained with full knowledge of all the relevant statutory requirements and cods of practice.

7.      The English Lacrosse Association will work with the NSPCC and other relevant organisations to ensure that decisions are made using the best possible evidence and research base into offending patterns and offender profiling.

8.      A criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from lacrosse and The English Lacrosse Association retains the Duty of Care to children, young people and vulnerable young adults and will make all decisions in good faith with the welfare of children paramount.

9.      Following the receipt of Disclosure Certificates with significant and relevant offending The English Lacrosse Association will initiate referral and/or disciplinary procedures which may result in immediate but temporary suspension.

10. The English Lacrosse Association will not generally prohibit a member of staff or a volunteer from working with children, young people or vulnerable young adults on the basis of a CRB Disclosure without open discussion about the Certificate with that individual.  The exception to this will be if additional information is disclosed by the Police, which The English Lacrosse Association is not enabled to share.  In such circumstances The English Lacrosse Association retains the right to follow internal case management and disciplinary procedures and if necessary to exclude that person from lacrosse until such time as the issue of additional information has been resolved.

11. The English Lacrosse Association will contact applicants and existing staff and volunteers following CRB checks that indicate significant or relevant offending.  Should the individual wish to withdraw at this stage The English Lacrosse Association retains the right to hold the staff or volunteers decision on a case file as a recruitment decision?

12. Should the applicant/volunteer wish to continue with their application to volunteer The English Lacrosse Association retains the right to make such investigations as it sees fit and that are reasonable to do.  This will be under Case Management Procedures

13. The English Lacrosse Association will make this written policy available to all people applying to be employees or volunteers in lacrosse

14. The English Lacrosse Association will ensure that the CRB Code of Practice is available to all in lacrosse.  This can be downloaded from www.disclosures.gov.uk.

15. The English Lacrosse Association will make this policy available in other formats upon request.

Full information on the CRB can be found on www.crb.gov.uk

 

 

 
 
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