133 05 23 – Employment Criminal/DBS Checks (May 2023)

Date of Request

May 23

Request

Dear Sir/Madam

I am emailing from ITV News. We are looking at the procedures used by individual fire and rescue services to vet firefighters before/during the course of their employment by each service.

Could you please tell me:

  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?

Please could you reply by Thursday 18th May.

Thank you,

Response

Good Afternoon X

Thank you for your request for information which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. Your FOI reference is: FOI 133 05 23

The Service can confirm the following to your questions:

  1. Do you have a policy in relation to employing/not employing firefighters who have a criminal record? What is the policy?

A: The Service has a Criminal Records Checks Policy and an Applicants with a Criminal Record Policy in place which are in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Employment decisions relating to any positive disclosures are made on a risk-assessed basis dependent on the circumstances of the case.

  1. Are candidates requested to declare any criminal convictions when applying for a job as a firefighter in your service?

A: Yes

  1. Does your service carry out a DBS check on every candidate who is offered a position as a firefighter in your service?

A: Yes, however as Firefighter is not a role defined under the exemptions order, eligibility is currently limited to a Basic DBS unless their role involves specific duties or regulated activity. The National Fire Chief’s Council with Home Office and employer’s support have submitted a business case which is currently going through the House of Commons to change this.

  1. 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?

A: Employment decisions relating to any positive disclosures are made on a risk-assessed basis dependent on the circumstances of the case.

Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk

Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk

Thank you for your request for information.

Kind regards

Information Governance Team