Police checks are not just required when an individual is
seeking employment. Oftentimes, volunteering organisations will request that
potential volunteers obtain a police check in order to determine if the person
is suitable to volunteer in specific environments, engage with specific people
and perform specific tasks and roles.
This could be of particular importance when an individual proposes to volunteer to work with older people, those with disabilities or with children, all of whom may be vulnerable should the person not be of good character and cannot demonstrate this good character through a clean police check. Knowing the background of a potential volunteer can be of utmost importance in these situations.
This could be of particular importance when an individual proposes to volunteer to work with older people, those with disabilities or with children, all of whom may be vulnerable should the person not be of good character and cannot demonstrate this good character through a clean police check. Knowing the background of a potential volunteer can be of utmost importance in these situations.
No one would suggest that it would be good for someone who
has been convicted of, say, murder or aggravated assault to have contact with
vulnerable people in either an employment or volunteer situation. An individual
with this history poses too much of a danger to vulnerable people. Likewise
with other serious convictions. A police check allows volunteer organisations
to feel confident that they are not allowing individuals with an adverse
history access to vulnerable individuals.
However, there are many ways in which those with lesser
convictions can be valuable volunteers in organisations. For example, perhaps
all it would take would be for the individual to be supervised in their work to
mitigate any potential problems that may arise if they were to work
independently. Perhaps, as well, they could be given tasks or jobs upon which
their criminal record would have a negligible effect.
Moreover, there may also be roles for which a police check is unnecessary and should not be requested. To ensure the privacy of individuals, careful consideration must be taken to ensure police checks are only requested when truly necessary. An applicant for a volunteer position must also consent to have a police check performed.
If a criminal history is revealed in a police check, it is important that the appropriate people at the organisation have a conversation with the individual about their criminal record and allow the individual to explain, if they wish to, the circumstances related to them committing the crime and/or how they feel they have altered their behaviour since then. The individual should be given the opportunity to argue their case and have their opinion taken into account before a decision is reached on their suitability.
Moreover, there may also be roles for which a police check is unnecessary and should not be requested. To ensure the privacy of individuals, careful consideration must be taken to ensure police checks are only requested when truly necessary. An applicant for a volunteer position must also consent to have a police check performed.
If a criminal history is revealed in a police check, it is important that the appropriate people at the organisation have a conversation with the individual about their criminal record and allow the individual to explain, if they wish to, the circumstances related to them committing the crime and/or how they feel they have altered their behaviour since then. The individual should be given the opportunity to argue their case and have their opinion taken into account before a decision is reached on their suitability.
In addition, it is especially important that volunteering
organisations understand they can provide a valuable service to the community
by giving individuals with a criminal history - as determined by their national police check, who have often only committed
minor offences, work experience and the confidence that comes through being
productive and accomplishing things.
By allowing individuals the opportunity to contribute to the community, they become more involved, active members of the community who are able to put their past behind them and may even use their volunteer experience to move into gainful employment. It is better for society if these individuals are not ostracised forever. While they should be punished for their crimes, it is also best if, once they have been punished, they can be given support to alter their behaviour.
Becoming a volunteer may help them on their way to change their behaviour. Use of police checks to monitor that behaviour commitment may help.
However, whether a volunteer organisation chooses to utilise the skills of those with a criminal history or not, they should ensure that the utmost sensitivity and privacy are maintained when obtaining police checks, in reviewing them and in discussing them. The results of a police check must be kept confidential at all times. While they are most certainly beneficial in assessing individuals hoping to volunteer for certain positions, they must be used with sensitivity, intelligence and in confidence.
By allowing individuals the opportunity to contribute to the community, they become more involved, active members of the community who are able to put their past behind them and may even use their volunteer experience to move into gainful employment. It is better for society if these individuals are not ostracised forever. While they should be punished for their crimes, it is also best if, once they have been punished, they can be given support to alter their behaviour.
Becoming a volunteer may help them on their way to change their behaviour. Use of police checks to monitor that behaviour commitment may help.
However, whether a volunteer organisation chooses to utilise the skills of those with a criminal history or not, they should ensure that the utmost sensitivity and privacy are maintained when obtaining police checks, in reviewing them and in discussing them. The results of a police check must be kept confidential at all times. While they are most certainly beneficial in assessing individuals hoping to volunteer for certain positions, they must be used with sensitivity, intelligence and in confidence.