Approving MembershipApproving Membership

Presentation byPresentation byThe Radio Amateurs’ Emergency NetworkThe Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network

November 2010November 2010

This presentationThis presentation

The “Approving Membership” presentation The “Approving Membership” presentation was originally given at the 2010 AGMwas originally given at the 2010 AGM

by by Jim, G1HULJim, G1HULand and Cathy, G1GQJCathy, G1GQJ

with BPSS information from with BPSS information from Chris, G8RXAChris, G8RXA

This set of slides is made availableThis set of slides is made availableto assist Groups in putting theto assist Groups in putting the

information over to their membersinformation over to their members

Vetting & BarringVetting & Barring

How it applies to RAYNETHow it applies to RAYNET

Confused? Probably!Confused? Probably!

It’s been a challenge!It’s been a challenge!

Lot of incorrect and selective information Lot of incorrect and selective information around, ably assisted by the media!around, ably assisted by the media!

A challenge to understand:A challenge to understand:– exactly what its all aboutexactly what its all about– what (if any) applies to RAYNET operationswhat (if any) applies to RAYNET operations

Taken 9 months to come to an Taken 9 months to come to an understanding and conclusion about the understanding and conclusion about the way forward for RAYNETway forward for RAYNET

What are we looking at?What are we looking at?

Summary of what the UK Vetting & Barring Summary of what the UK Vetting & Barring Scheme is all aboutScheme is all about

Explode a few mythsExplode a few myths

Whether the VBS applies to RAYNETWhether the VBS applies to RAYNET

Real-world RAYNET situationsReal-world RAYNET situations

What RAYNET can and cannot do with What RAYNET can and cannot do with respect to checkingrespect to checking

What we are doing regarding checkingWhat we are doing regarding checking

TerminologyTerminology

VBSVBSVetting & Barring SchemeVetting & Barring Scheme

CRBCRBCriminal Records BureauCriminal Records Bureau

ISAISAIndependent Safeguarding AuthorityIndependent Safeguarding Authority

EmploymentEmploymentAny organisation who uses the servicesAny organisation who uses the servicesof another personof another personA Group “employs” its membersA Group “employs” its members

TerminologyTerminology

FrequentlyFrequentlyOnce a week or moreOnce a week or more

IntensivelyIntensivelyOn four days or more in a single monthOn four days or more in a single month

Overnight Overnight Activity undertaken between 2am and 6amActivity undertaken between 2am and 6am

All the above refer to working with the All the above refer to working with the samesame group of children or vulnerable adultsgroup of children or vulnerable adults

TerminologyTerminology Examples only, not a comprehensive list Examples only, not a comprehensive list

Defined activitiesDefined activitiesTeachers, coaches, youth & care workers …Teachers, coaches, youth & care workers …

Defined settings / establishmentsDefined settings / establishmentsSchools, childcare premises, care centres …Schools, childcare premises, care centres …

Defined positionsDefined positionsGoverning & managing education provision and Governing & managing education provision and centres, fostering, child courts …centres, fostering, child courts …

Underlying principleUnderlying principle

Ask yourself:Ask yourself:

Is there an opportunityIs there an opportunityfor the person to buildfor the person to builda relationship of trust?a relationship of trust?

The test applied by many organisations is: The test applied by many organisations is:

Does the person haveDoes the person havesubstantial unsupervised access?substantial unsupervised access?

Vetting & Barring SchemeVetting & Barring Scheme

Simply an umbrella term forSimply an umbrella term for– Independent Safeguarding AuthorityIndependent Safeguarding Authority– Criminal Records BureauCriminal Records Bureau

Independent Safeguarding Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)Authority (ISA)

Set up in 2006 as a result of the Bichard Set up in 2006 as a result of the Bichard enquiry into the Soham Murdersenquiry into the Soham Murders

Merges several “banned” lists (POVA, Merges several “banned” lists (POVA, POCA, List 99) and other intelligencePOCA, List 99) and other intelligence

Was due to be implemented October 2010Was due to be implemented October 2010

Suspended in June and now the subject of Suspended in June and now the subject of a complete reviewa complete review

Independent Safeguarding Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)Authority (ISA)

Only affects adults who Only affects adults who work withwork withchildren or vulnerable adultschildren or vulnerable adults– in a in a defineddefined activityactivity, , establishmentestablishment or or positionposition

oror

– frequentlyfrequently, , intensivelyintensively or or overnightovernight

Interaction between adults and children or Interaction between adults and children or vulnerable adults in everyday life is vulnerable adults in everyday life is outside the boundaries of the Schemeoutside the boundaries of the SchemeThe Scheme also completely excludes The Scheme also completely excludes family and personal arrangementsfamily and personal arrangements

Independent Safeguarding Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)Authority (ISA)

So how was the ISA intended to work?So how was the ISA intended to work?– A person registers with the ISAA person registers with the ISA– Employers notify the ISA that a person is Employers notify the ISA that a person is

working for themworking for them– Ongoing monitoring of the persons status by Ongoing monitoring of the persons status by

both partiesboth parties– Any change of status (e.g. court convictions) Any change of status (e.g. court convictions)

are notified to all employersare notified to all employers

This is VERY different from a “CRB check”This is VERY different from a “CRB check”

Criminal Records BureauCriminal Records Bureau

Is a one-off check against Police and Is a one-off check against Police and Government records (think “MOT”)Government records (think “MOT”)

No “validity period”, although most No “validity period”, although most organisations have a 3 year recheck cycleorganisations have a 3 year recheck cycle

Has three levels of checkHas three levels of check– BasicBasic– StandardStandard– EnhancedEnhanced

Criminal Records BureauCriminal Records Bureau

BasicBasic checks are a simple statement of checks are a simple statement of unspent criminal convictionsunspent criminal convictions

StandardStandard & & EnhancedEnhanced checks include checks include spent convictions and other intelligencespent convictions and other intelligence– Aimed at specific areas of employment; those Aimed at specific areas of employment; those

working with children or vulnerable adults, or working with children or vulnerable adults, or those working in the health, legal, financial, those working in the health, legal, financial, security and other specified positionssecurity and other specified positions

– May only be carried out by organisations May only be carried out by organisations working in these specific areasworking in these specific areas

How does this apply to RAYNET?How does this apply to RAYNET?

We are not offering a regulated activityWe are not offering a regulated activity– We do not specifically target or provide We do not specifically target or provide

activities for children or vulnerable adultsactivities for children or vulnerable adults

Members do not require ISA registration or Members do not require ISA registration or CRB checks to attend events where CRB checks to attend events where children or vulnerable adults are presentchildren or vulnerable adults are present– We do not do work with these people; We do not do work with these people;

frequentlyfrequently, , intensivelyintensively or or overnightovernight, or in a , or in a setting that is of a setting that is of a specified naturespecified nature, a , a regulated activityregulated activity or in a or in a specified placespecified place

But hang on…But hang on…

Don’t we operate onDon’t we operate onall-night youth events?all-night youth events?

Isn’t that “Isn’t that “Overnight”?Overnight”?

Overnight youth eventsOvernight youth events

Well, yes, but…Well, yes, but…

Work with children is a regulated activityWork with children is a regulated activity

RAYNET is RAYNET is notnot providingproviding the regulated activity the regulated activity

RAYNET is providing support to the activity RAYNET is providing support to the activity provider, provider, notnot the children the children– Yes, there will be brief contactYes, there will be brief contact– But no opportunity for trust building or substantial But no opportunity for trust building or substantial

unsupervised accessunsupervised access– Event will have procedures in place for those children Event will have procedures in place for those children

to be appropriately supervisedto be appropriately supervised

Rest CentresRest Centres

Every person in a rest centre is classified Every person in a rest centre is classified as vulnerable due to their displaced statusas vulnerable due to their displaced status

RAYNET is providing support to the rest RAYNET is providing support to the rest centre team, centre team, notnot the vulnerable people the vulnerable people– Yes, there will be brief contactYes, there will be brief contact– But no opportunity for trust building or But no opportunity for trust building or

substantial unsupervised accesssubstantial unsupervised access

Checkpoints etc.Checkpoints etc.

Sometimes children will be helpingSometimes children will be helping– Family of checkpoint staffFamily of checkpoint staff– Scouts / Guides / Youth clubsScouts / Guides / Youth clubs– User Service youth sections (SJA Cadets etc.)User Service youth sections (SJA Cadets etc.)

RAYNET is providing support to the User RAYNET is providing support to the User Service, Service, notnot the children the children– Yes, there will be contact during the dayYes, there will be contact during the day– But no opportunity for trust building or substantial But no opportunity for trust building or substantial

unsupervised accessunsupervised access– Event / User will have procedures in place for those Event / User will have procedures in place for those

children to be appropriately supervisedchildren to be appropriately supervised

Can we “CRB check” our membership?Can we “CRB check” our membership?

Standard & Enhanced level: Standard & Enhanced level: NoNo – We do not fall under any of the We do not fall under any of the Disclosure Access Disclosure Access

Category CodesCategory Codes

Basic level: Basic level: YesYes– Reveals any unspent convictionsReveals any unspent convictions– Are requested by the person, Are requested by the person, notnot the organisation the organisation– The organisation does not get a copy of the checkThe organisation does not get a copy of the check

Relies on the member passing it onRelies on the member passing it on

– Offers little more than self declarationOffers little more than self declaration– Does not prove identityDoes not prove identity

No independent check of personal details on the applicationNo independent check of personal details on the application

What about User requests?What about User requests?

Checking / vetting is Checking / vetting is notnot transferrable transferrable– Information obtained under any checking system is Information obtained under any checking system is

confidential to authorised officials in the organisation confidential to authorised officials in the organisation and the Subject of the checkand the Subject of the check

Asking for Asking for “everyone to be checked”“everyone to be checked” is pointless is pointless– Checked how?Checked how?– What would be a bar to working with the User?What would be a bar to working with the User?

If the User requires us to be specifically If the User requires us to be specifically checked, checked, theythey must provide the mechanism for must provide the mechanism for the checks to be carried outthe checks to be carried out

To summariseTo summarise

We do not offer a regulated activityWe do not offer a regulated activityTo attend RAYNET activities we do not require To attend RAYNET activities we do not require to beto be– ISA registeredISA registered– CRB checked to Standard or Enhanced levelCRB checked to Standard or Enhanced level

We cannot CRB check at Standard or Enhanced We cannot CRB check at Standard or Enhanced levellevelBasic CRB checks offer little benefitBasic CRB checks offer little benefitUsers must provide checking if they require Users must provide checking if they require specific levels of checkingspecific levels of checkingSo, where now?So, where now?

Self declarationSelf declaration

A system where a prospective memberA system where a prospective member– Provides positive ID (photo, name & address)Provides positive ID (photo, name & address)– Declares any unspent convictionsDeclares any unspent convictions

Why?Why?– Provides proof of IDProvides proof of ID– Provides everything that a basic CRB check does, Provides everything that a basic CRB check does,

without administrative problemswithout administrative problems– Has greater value outside the organisationHas greater value outside the organisation

Should satisfy User “checking” requirementsShould satisfy User “checking” requirements– Will prove due diligenceWill prove due diligence

BPSSBPSS

BaselineBaseline

Personnel SecurityPersonnel Security

StandardStandard

Prepared by Chris Hampson G8RXAPrepared by Chris Hampson G8RXA

BackgroundBackground

Encouragement for RAYNET to participate Encouragement for RAYNET to participate in the National Resilience Extranet (NRE) in the National Resilience Extranet (NRE) nationallynationally

Some Zonal Co-ordinators already Some Zonal Co-ordinators already participating in RRF telecomms sub-participating in RRF telecomms sub-groupsgroups

Controllers have indicated they are being Controllers have indicated they are being offered access to NREoffered access to NRE

What is the NRE?What is the NRE?

The National Resilience Extranet (NRE) is a The National Resilience Extranet (NRE) is a secure web based browser tool that enables secure web based browser tool that enables responders to have access to key information up responders to have access to key information up to and including RESTRICTED level, for multi-to and including RESTRICTED level, for multi-agency working and communication.agency working and communication.Available for use by all Category 1 & 2 Available for use by all Category 1 & 2 Responders, Government Departments and Responders, Government Departments and Agencies and other key organisations in the UK Agencies and other key organisations in the UK resilience community to share knowledge, plan resilience community to share knowledge, plan responses to emergency situations and manage responses to emergency situations and manage incidents as they happenincidents as they happen

What does BPSS do?What does BPSS do?

Provides a level of assurance to the Provides a level of assurance to the trustworthiness and integrity of individuals trustworthiness and integrity of individuals whose work involves access to sensitive assets whose work involves access to sensitive assets or information. or information.

Confirmation of their identity, their place of Confirmation of their identity, their place of residence, that they are legally entitled to live in residence, that they are legally entitled to live in the UK and a declaration of any unspent criminal the UK and a declaration of any unspent criminal convictionsconvictions

RAYNET BPSS checking is RAYNET BPSS checking is entirely voluntaryentirely voluntary

How BPSS wouldHow BPSS wouldbenefit Groupsbenefit Groups

Confidence that your members really are who Confidence that your members really are who they say they are.they say they are.

User Services assured that you are exercising User Services assured that you are exercising due diligence using a recognised standard when due diligence using a recognised standard when accepting new members.accepting new members.

Scheme would satisfy any general requests from Scheme would satisfy any general requests from our User Services for RAYNET members to be our User Services for RAYNET members to be “checked”, in most cases.“checked”, in most cases.

How would BPSSHow would BPSSbenefit members?benefit members?

Growing need for RAYNET members to Growing need for RAYNET members to have access to protectively marked have access to protectively marked information up to and including information up to and including RESTRICTED level:RESTRICTED level:– National Resilience Extranet (NRE)National Resilience Extranet (NRE)– Cabinet Office and local authority documentsCabinet Office and local authority documents– Regional/Local Resilience Forum Regional/Local Resilience Forum

documentationdocumentation

What BPSS is What BPSS is NotNot

The BPSS check is The BPSS check is notnot a formala formalsecurity clearance or vettingsecurity clearance or vettingagainst government held listsagainst government held lists

It is entirely internal to RAYNETIt is entirely internal to RAYNETwithout reference to outside agencieswithout reference to outside agencies

How BPSS would workHow BPSS would work

Members wishing to be checked would be Members wishing to be checked would be asked to:asked to:– Present evidence of their name and addressPresent evidence of their name and address– Declare any unspent criminal convictionsDeclare any unspent criminal convictions

Administered by Controllers and Zonal Co-Administered by Controllers and Zonal Co-ordinators who have themselves been ordinators who have themselves been checked. checked. Only the reference number, indicating Only the reference number, indicating successful completion of a BPSS check, successful completion of a BPSS check, would be recorded nationally.would be recorded nationally.

What proof of identity is required?What proof of identity is required?

Ideally a passportIdeally a passportIf not, then any If not, then any twotwo of the following: of the following:– Current full UK driving licence or UK photocard driving Current full UK driving licence or UK photocard driving

licencelicence– Recent HMRC tax notificationRecent HMRC tax notification– Birth or marriage certificateBirth or marriage certificate– Recent original utility bill *Recent original utility bill *– Local authority tax bill (valid for current year) *Local authority tax bill (valid for current year) *– Bank, building society or credit union statement or Bank, building society or credit union statement or

passbook or mortgage statement containing current passbook or mortgage statement containing current address *address *

– P45 * P45 * * dated within the last 6 * dated within the last 6 monthsmonths

Implementation (1)Implementation (1)

Implementation of the BPSS checks is entirely Implementation of the BPSS checks is entirely voluntary, with both Groups and individuals voluntary, with both Groups and individuals deciding locally whether to opt into the schemedeciding locally whether to opt into the scheme

Should a Group wish to implement the checks, Should a Group wish to implement the checks, the Controller would first be checked by their the Controller would first be checked by their Zonal Co-ordinator or County Controller. S/he Zonal Co-ordinator or County Controller. S/he would then be able to act as the authorised would then be able to act as the authorised person in the Group.person in the Group.

Implementation (2)Implementation (2)

The initial documentation would be The initial documentation would be handled by the local controller, who would handled by the local controller, who would pass all relevant completed details to pass all relevant completed details to CoM’s BPSS Co-ordinator for checking, CoM’s BPSS Co-ordinator for checking, allocation of approval and filing. allocation of approval and filing.

BPSS Co-ordinator available for advice BPSS Co-ordinator available for advice and would work closely with the controller and would work closely with the controller on any queries. (on any queries. (BPSS@raynet-uk.netBPSS@raynet-uk.net))

Isn’t this the “thin end of a wedge”,Isn’t this the “thin end of a wedge”,with full vetting coming along later?with full vetting coming along later?

No!No!

We can’t predict what our User Services We can’t predict what our User Services might require in the future, but there are no might require in the future, but there are no plans to increase the level of member plans to increase the level of member checking beyond the current BPSS checking beyond the current BPSS standard.standard.

What would happen if a member’s What would happen if a member’s BPSS submission were refused?BPSS submission were refused?

A refusal would prevent that member A refusal would prevent that member from having uncontrolled access to from having uncontrolled access to RESTRICTED material (eg NRE) and RESTRICTED material (eg NRE) and thus may be excluded from meetings and thus may be excluded from meetings and areas where access to such information areas where access to such information is freely available.is freely available.

Right of appealRight of appeal

Members who do not receive a BPSS Members who do not receive a BPSS approval would have the right to be told approval would have the right to be told the reason and if not satisfied, to request the reason and if not satisfied, to request an appeal hearing. an appeal hearing.

This hearing would take place within 6 This hearing would take place within 6 weeks of the request.weeks of the request.

How would the applicationsHow would the applicationsbe handled?be handled?

Once proof of identity and the criminal record Once proof of identity and the criminal record declaration have been checked, the member declaration have been checked, the member would complete part 1 on the Verification would complete part 1 on the Verification Record. Record. The controller would then complete parts 2 and The controller would then complete parts 2 and 3 and forward all documentation to the BPSS 3 and forward all documentation to the BPSS Co-ordinator, who would add a unique number Co-ordinator, who would add a unique number to the Approval document. to the Approval document. The approval or otherwise will be notified to the The approval or otherwise will be notified to the controller and the member’s record and controller and the member’s record and database record updated accordingly.database record updated accordingly.

How can I be assured the documentation How can I be assured the documentation will be securely handled?will be securely handled?

Some of the information could be sensitive Some of the information could be sensitive personal data, so access to such personal data, so access to such information would be restricted to information would be restricted to those those with a true need to knowwith a true need to know..

Documents relating to the BPSS and the Documents relating to the BPSS and the completed Baseline Standard Verification completed Baseline Standard Verification Record must be kept. (Annexes A & B)Record must be kept. (Annexes A & B)

How can I be assured the documentation How can I be assured the documentation will be securely handled?will be securely handled?

AnyAny supporting documentation (e.g. copies supporting documentation (e.g. copies of utility bills, etc) would be destroyed of utility bills, etc) would be destroyed within 6 months unless there is a clear within 6 months unless there is a clear business reason for exceeding this period. business reason for exceeding this period.

Criminal conviction information collected in Criminal conviction information collected in the course of the BPSS process will also the course of the BPSS process will also be deleted except in exceptional be deleted except in exceptional circumstances.circumstances.

How far hasHow far hasRAYNET BPSS got?RAYNET BPSS got?

All Committee of Management members All Committee of Management members and Team Leaders have been checkedand Team Leaders have been checked

Briefing documents sent to County, Area Briefing documents sent to County, Area and Group Controllersand Group Controllers

Some Controllers opted to begin the Some Controllers opted to begin the application process at the national AGMapplication process at the national AGM

Finding additional informationFinding additional informationon VBS and BPSSon VBS and BPSS

Additional information for Controllers and Additional information for Controllers and also for members can be found in the also for members can be found in the

members area of the websitemembers area of the website

www.raynet-uk.netwww.raynet-uk.net

What next?What next?

Individual Groups decide whether to opt Individual Groups decide whether to opt into the scheme into the scheme

Opportunity for CCs/GCs to complete Opportunity for CCs/GCs to complete BPSS applications at Zonal meetingsBPSS applications at Zonal meetings

CCs/GCs check members locallyCCs/GCs check members locally