LONGNIDDRY BOWLING CLUB’S SAFE VOLUNTEER
RECRUITMENT WITH A CONVICTION POLICY
Longniddry Bowling Club appreciate that volunteers are essential in the overall running of the sport and within Bowling Clubs. Whilst it is vital to keep the issues of wellbeing & protection in proportion, Longniddry Bowling Club has adopted some basic procedures that will help safeguard all concerned.
For all volunteers within the Club who have regular contact with young people, the following actions demonstrate good practice:
- Appointment: Any volunteers should be known to the club, hold in good standing and willing to comply with Longniddry Bowling Club’s safeguarding procedures.
- PVG Scheme Membership: Any member involved in regulated work must apply for a PVG check. Applications for volunteers can be submitted via the Club’s WPO, which is provided by Bowls Scotland free of charge. Longniddry Bowling Club will receive the results of PVG applications and decide on whether the member is suitable for the outlined work. For more information regarding suitability decisions, please see the Hiring with a conviction section below. Longniddry Bowling Club will ensure all volunteers working on behalf of Longniddry Bowling Club are PVG checked as appropriate.
- Training: Longniddry Bowling Club will ensure the Wellbeing Protection Officer has up-to-date Child Wellbeing Protection in Sport (CWPS) and Child Wellbeing Protection Officer (CWPO) training. Longniddry Bowling Club recommend that anyone working with children or in a regulated role undertake CWPS training as good practice.
Hiring with a conviction
Longniddry Bowling Club operate and endorses a fair recruitment process. The purpose of this policy is to provide assurance to volunteers, and guidance to those making recruitment decisions. Any conviction information provided as part of a PVG check will be assessed on whether it impacts a person’s ability to carry out a role they have applied for within Longniddry Bowling Club. It is important to recognise that having a criminal record does not necessarily mean that someone cannot volunteer for our club.
Our Club treats all applicants fairly and consistently in accordance with the requirements of Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended). The assessment is based entirely on the requirements of the role and any information shared with us in a disclosure certificate.
Longniddry Bowling Club will gain consent from all applicants applying to join the PVG scheme through Bowls Scotland. If there is any vetting information provided on disclosures, a notification or change in the status, this previously gained consent will allow Bowls Scotland to share relevant information with Longniddry Bowling Club. Bowls Scotland will then make the decision on whether an individual is suitable to carry out the role they have applied for, based on convictions and other vetting information provided on disclosures. Bowls Scotland will then communicate with the Wellbeing & Protection Officer with regards to this decision, sharing information where appropriate.
How we will use disclosure information to make recruiting decisions
Any information disclosed with Bowls Scotland will be treated in the strictest confidence and only authorized people staff members required to see the information to help assess it will have access to it. There may be instances where we need to seek support or guidance externally (for example, from a solicitor). Wherein this is necessary, we will not share any information which will identify the individual, only the information which Bowls Scotland require support or guidance on.
Bowls Scotland does, however, need to risk assess any conviction or vetting information carefully to ensure there are no risks to Longniddry Bowling Club. To ensure we carry out a fair and consistent practice when we assess any conviction or vetting information, Bowls Scotland will consider the following criteria:
- Is the conviction relevant to the position being offered?
- How serious was the offence?
- How long is it since the offence took place?
- Is there a pattern of offending behavior?
- Have the personal circumstances changed since the time of the offending behavior?
- How has the person become rehabilitated?
- Is the person barred from the type of regulated work we need them to do?
If Bowls Scotland determine that the disclosed information is relevant to the role, we will contact the Wellbeing & Protection Officer to further discuss the role before making the recruitment decision. Longniddry Bowling Club is required to abide by Bowls Scotland’s decision on the applicant’s suitability for the discussed role.
Review
This Policy and associated procedures will be regularly reviewed:
- In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children or following any changes within Bowls Scotland/Longniddry Bowling Club.
- Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within Longniddry Bowling Club.
- In all other circumstances, at least every three years.
Questions about this policy should be directed to:
Wellbeing and Protection Officer, Longniddry Bowling Club