Wardens ...

Check the following courses, designed to support warden schemes and individual wardens.

Accredited Core Skills

A Level 2 Certificate which gives street-based patrolling staff the theory, knowledge and practical skills to enable them to perform their role...more

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 is designed to make sure that ex-offenders who have not re-offended for a period of time since the date of their conviction and are not discriminated against when applying for a job. The Act allows ex-offenders to ‘wipe the slate clean’ of their criminal record once sufficient time has passed.

Offences are then considered as spent and need not be disclosed by the ex-offender when applying for the job. There are, however, a number of posts that are exempted from the Act to protect certain vulnerable groups. In these cases, organisations are legally entitled to ask applicants for details of all convictions, irrespective of whether they are ‘spent’ or ‘unspent’ under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. These exempt posts include those involving access to children, young people, the elderly, disabled people, alcohol or drug misuses and the chronically sick.

It is important that all schemes consider the nature of the activities that will be carried out by wardens and the level of supervision that wardens will receive. This information will assist in assessing which levels of criminal checks are appropriate. It is also important to review any decisions on criminal record checks if the responsibilities of wardens have changed.

There are three different levels of criminal record checks. The level of checks carried out on wardens should depend upon the level of risk associated with their job. When making decisions regarding the level of checks required, scheme manager should consider the following questions:
 Does the post involve one-to-one contact with children or other vulnerable groups as employees, customers and clients?Does the post involve any direct responsibility for finance or items of value?Does the post involve direct contact with the public?Will the nature of the job present any opportunities for the post holder to re-offend in the place of work?The Criminal Record Bureau covering England and Wales currently undertakes Standard and Enhanced disclosures. Basic disclosures, (issued to individuals not directly to employers) can be carried out by the Scottish Criminal Record Office on 0141 585 8400.

Whilst the decision on the level of CRB checks remains with individual warden management we strongly recommend enhanced disclosures.