DBS volume requests on vetting.

Summary

The requester asked for statistics on the time taken to process criminal records checks for specific professions over the past two years. The Isle of Man Constabulary responded that this specific breakdown is not held, as the process covers all workers and volunteers, and directed the requester to publicly available UK DBS performance data.

Key Facts

• The UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) manages criminal records checks, with the Isle of Man Constabulary processing one aspect of the response.
• The Department of Home Affairs manages the audit and review of forms submitted to the DBS.
• The Constabulary does not hold data broken down by specific professions such as education or medicine.
• The process focuses on safeguarding those who work with children and vulnerable adults.
• A Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) is followed to ensure appropriate care and allow applicants to make representations.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-03-14
• 2017-03-24
• past two years
• IM81083I
• Page 1 of 3
• Page 2 of 3
• Page 3 of 3
• section 20
• version nine

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (information already reasonably accessible)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

MEOIRYN SHEE-ELLAN VANNIN REFERENCE NUMBER: IM81083I ISLE OF MAN CONSTABULARY Freedom of Information 8 Freedomof nformation Seyrsnys Fysseree REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 ("the Act") Thank you for your request dated 14th March 2017 Your request You asked for: "I'd like to know details of time taken to respond to requests for criminal records checks. I 'm talking about the checks requested when people are appointed to posts, for example in education or the medical profession etc. What is the average time taken, the longest time and the shortest time? If you have those figures for the past two years that would be appreciated. Thanks." Response to your request The UK authority in respect of the management of criminal records checks is the DBS - Disclosure and Barring Service. The Isle of Man Constabulary processes one aspect of the responses to requests for these criminal records checks. There are a number of stages to that process and the Constabulary makes up one part of this. The Department of Home Affairs manage the other part of the request process which is an audit and review of the forms submitted to the DBS. These two parts of the process must remain separate. Page 1 of 3


INVESTORS I Champion
8 IN PEOPLE - The information you have requested is not broken down into areas of profession and the process concerns itself with a number of categories of workers, volunteers etc. The focus is around those who work with children and the vulnerable. The Constabulary takes its role in managing these requests seriously from the two aspects of the process: Firstly the customer service: The Constabulary processes the applications and information as swiftly as possible but balancing this against The Second - the safeguarding responsibilities and purpose for the checks. This is also balanced against the rights of the individual who are subject of the check. There is a process which is set out and has to be followed in the form of a Quality Assurance Framework or QAF. Where a conviction or information is deemed appropriate to be disclosed the Constabulary takes great care in this responsibility and the checks must be processed with appropriate care on all levels. On occasions the applicant may be given an opportunity to make representations on the matters which are proposed to be disclosed. The information you have requested is available from the DBS published figures on performance which are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dbs-performance https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dbs-dataset-5-police-disclosure-unit-performance Details of the QAF are found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/quality-assurance-framework-version-nine-qaf-v9 Under section 20 of the Act we do not have to provide you with information if it is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. Freedom of Information Officer Page 2 of 3
"

INVESTORS

6 IN PEOPLE Champion - Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to The Freedom of Information Officer, Isle of Man Constabulary, Dukes Avenue, Douglas, IM2 4RG. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1 Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or 2 Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested. In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner's website at: https://www.inforights.im/ Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found https: //www.gov.im/a bout-the-government/freedom-of-information/ Page 3 of 3

'\ INVESTORS
8 IN PEOPLE Champion -