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Retained firefighter's pension settlement - are you affected?

NFRS 2023 21 - Vetting

You asked for

  1. Do you have a policy in relation to employing/not employing firefighters who have a criminal record? What is the policy?
  2. Are candidates requested to declare any criminal convictions when applying for a job as a firefighter in your service?
  3. Does your service carry out a DBS check on every candidate who is offered a position as a firefighter in your service?
  4. Are there any criminal offences which would automatically bar an individual from working as a firefighter for your service? If so, what are those offences?

Our response

  1. Do you have a policy in relation to employing/not employing firefighters who have a criminal record? What is the policy?
    Answer: - POL 1026 Employment of ex-offenders’ incorporating Disclosure and Barring policy. The purpose of this Policy is to set out the Service position in relation to the employment of applicants with criminal convictions.
  2. Are candidates requested to declare any criminal convictions when applying for a job as a firefighter in your service?
    Answer: - Offences which are not spent convictions under the ROA must be disclosed by applicants to the Service where this is a requirement of the application process, or by existing employees at the point those employees undertake a role in which disclosure is a requirement. Such disclosure will be required for all roles with potential for unsupervised access to young people or vulnerable adults.

    All potential employees of the Service will be subject to a basic disclosure and barring check (DBS) as part of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard check process (BPSS).

  3. Does your service carry out a DBS check on every candidate who is offereda position as a firefighter in your service?
    Answer: - All potential employees of the Service will be subject to a basic disclosure and barring check (DBS) as part of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard check process (BPSS).

    The Service uses the facilities provided through the Disclosure and Barring Service(DBS) to access information about current criminal convictions or those barred from undertaking a “Regulated Activity” by the Independent Safeguarding Agency.

  4. Are there any criminal offences which would automatically bar an individual from working as a firefighter for your service? If so, what are those offences?
    Answer: - The Service will discount convictions that are ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) unless they are exempted under the act –such examples may be for purposes related to national security, and to certain professional posts such as accountants.

    However, there are some convictions which, whatever the circumstances of the case, are likely to debar an individual from employment in an operational role (as a Firefighter) with the Fire Service. Such convictions are:

    • Offences against children which lead to disqualification from working with children in any capacity.
    • Serious offences of a sexual nature. Serious offences of a violent nature.
    • Dishonesty, including theft