Do I need to provide a Criminal Record Disclosure?
Answer: To receive an Instructors licence you need to complete a Basic Criminal Disclosure, however if you anticipate regulated work with children or vulnerable groups in the future, you should join the PVG Scheme (for Scottish residents only). You may attend courses without the Disclosure.
How long is my disclosure certificate valid?
Answer: According to the Disclosure Scotland website disclosure certificates have no validity period. This is to say the information provided on the certificate is correct up until the date it was printed but obviously it cannot make apparent any new information that may arise on the individual after this date.
However, it is recognised as good practice to have a policy of re-checking existing employees and the recognised period of validity is 3 years. It is even more relevant for BASI as in most cases we are not the employer and members may be changing employer or working for themselves and not being re-checked. The Home Nations Governing Bodies (i.e. Snowsport Scotland, Snowsport England, Snowsport Wales and BSS) also recognise 3 years validity for disclosure certificates.
Does BASI accept disclosures obtained for other organisations?
Answer: Yes, as long as the certificate has been issued in the last 3 years.
Where does BASI stand in relation to the new PVG Scheme in Scotland?
Answer: BASI members are advised that a basic criminal record check is still acceptable but if they anticipate regulated work with children or vulnerable groups in the future, they should join the PVG Scheme. This is for Scottish residents only.
Following correspondence with the Compliance Manager, BASI has been advised the following regarding ‘regulated work’:
“If an instructor trains the general public and occasionally teaches children this would not be regulated work as it would be incidental. If the instructor trains the general public but has a class aimed at children this would be regulated work with children – the same would apply to protected adults.”
More information on the PVG Scheme is available at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk.