Vetting of all ISPCC Staff and Volunteers
(updated November, 2011)
All candidates who have applied for a position in the ISPCC as a staff member or as a volunteer must give their written permission, on a Vetting Application form, permitting An Garda Siochana to disclose their personal data regarding convictions and /or prosecutions pending or completed, successful or not, in the state or elsewhere to the ISPCC Authorised Signatory.
An Authorised signatory is the person(s) authorised by the ISPCC to submit Garda Vetting applications to the Garda Central Vetting Unit and to receive Vetting disclosures from the Garda Vetting Unit. The authorised Signatories within the ISPCC are the HR manager and the Financial Administrator.
All rules of Data Protection will be observed in respect of any data received following a Garda Vetting Request:
If an applicant disputes the content of the Garda Vetting Disclosure in any way the dispute handling mechanism will be followed. Every conviction may ultimately affect the suitability of persons to work with the ISPCC.
The ISPCC recognises that there are some areas/ instances, in particular, that would automatically deem an individual unsuitable to work with the society. These exclusion clauses are outlined below:
Exclusion Clauses for Prospective Employees/Volunteers;
The Irish Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Children consider the following as reasonable grounds for the society not to proceed with either an interview or an appointment of an individual (for volunteer and staff positions) if:
(updated November, 2011)
All candidates who have applied for a position in the ISPCC as a staff member or as a volunteer must give their written permission, on a Vetting Application form, permitting An Garda Siochana to disclose their personal data regarding convictions and /or prosecutions pending or completed, successful or not, in the state or elsewhere to the ISPCC Authorised Signatory.
An Authorised signatory is the person(s) authorised by the ISPCC to submit Garda Vetting applications to the Garda Central Vetting Unit and to receive Vetting disclosures from the Garda Vetting Unit. The authorised Signatories within the ISPCC are the HR manager and the Financial Administrator.
All rules of Data Protection will be observed in respect of any data received following a Garda Vetting Request:
- Information will be obtained and processed fairly
- Information will be kept for a specified, explicit and lawful purpose
- Use of and disclosure of information obtained occurs only in ways compatible with these purposes
- Information will be kept safe and secure
- Information will be accurate complete and up to date
- It will be retained only while necessary for the purpose obtained
- Information received from the Vetting Unit will be shared with the individual at their request
Decisions on whether to accept an applicant will involve consideration of all administration information from stage three of the recruitment and selection procedure as well as the Garda Vetting findings. In the case of convictions, cognisance will be taken of restorative justice and rehabilitation of offenders. All disclosures received from the Garda Central Vetting Unit will be managed within a Natural Justice Framework.
If an applicant disputes the content of the Garda Vetting Disclosure in any way the dispute handling mechanism will be followed. Every conviction may ultimately affect the suitability of persons to work with the ISPCC.
The ISPCC recognises that there are some areas/ instances, in particular, that would automatically deem an individual unsuitable to work with the society. These exclusion clauses are outlined below:
Exclusion Clauses for Prospective Employees/Volunteers;
The Irish Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Children consider the following as reasonable grounds for the society not to proceed with either an interview or an appointment of an individual (for volunteer and staff positions) if:
- The individual / candidate has been convicted of a crime that relates to the ill treatment or neglect of children / minors / vulnerable people.
- The individual / candidate has drug and/or alcohol related charges / convictions, especially where there was evidence that children were involved.
- The individual / candidate has charges / convictions relating to the ownership, production, possession or distribution of child pornography.
- The individual/ candidate is known to the Child Protection services where this knowledge would involve concerns around the candidates suitability to work with children.
- There is a finding of “confirmed” child abuse or neglect by the Health Services Executive but may not have attracted a criminal conviction. (There are three categories that the Health Service Executive can confirm abuse – 1. through a medical examination, 2. through an admission of guilt by the alleged perpetrator or 3. Via a ruling of a court).
- The individual/candidate has serious driving related charges/convictions
- The individual/candidate has been dishonest in his/her application and/or Garda Vetting Form.
- The individual/candidate has public disorder and/or assault related charges/convictions.
- The individual/candidate has damage to public property related charges/convictions, including larceny.
- Any other offence that in the Society’s opinion deems the person unfit to work with the Society. (This would include crimes of deception/ fraud/ domestic violence/ assault etc).
