Exchange Visits & CRB Updated
Guidance on Foreign Exchange Host Families and CRB Checks
The following information is based on guidance issued by the DCSF and was issued by Herts HR Safe Staffing Team - October 2009.
Do Host Families Need a CRB Check?
For foreign exchange visits lasting less than 28 days, it is best practice for the organiser (for example, a school or college) to ensure that in a two-parent family both parents are subject to an enhanced CRB check prior to the start of the placement. This would include step-parents or the co-habiting partner of a single parent. There is no need to undertake CRB checks on other adults living at the same address, such as grown-up children or grandparents.
In a placement exceeding 28 days it is a mandatory requirement for all adults residents in the host family home to have an enhanced CRB check.
Dual Households
In the case of dual households, for example where a foreign student may spend part of their time in a host student's mother's house and part of the time in a host student's father's house, the guidance above would apply to both households.
Foreign Exchange Host Families and the "Three Month" Rule
What is the three month rule?
If a CRB disclosure is issued and the applicant does not take up post within three months of the date of issue, then the disclosure is no longer considered valid and a recheck is required.
Similarly if a member of staff has a break in service of three months or more then a new CRB disclosure should be sought.
Please note that a CRB disclosure is only as accurate as the information supplied on the date it is printed and further information may have come to light in that three month gap.
Does this apply to Host Families?
For host families, it is suggested that, wherever possible, the application for a CRB disclosure is submitted no sooner than three months prior to the start of the placement.
Where families host separate visits more than three months apart, it is appreciated it may not be realistic to recheck them for the second visit. It is recommended that, if there is a three month gap, you maintain contact with the hosts on a regular basis and record the dates of contact. This will ensure the school is covered in the event that an issue does arise with any of the visits.
Will these guidelines change under the Vetting and Barring Scheme?
Please be aware that from July 2010 the regulations governing short-term placements (under 28 days) will change.
Under the Vetting and Barring Scheme it will be a mandatory requirement for both parents (including step-parents and co-habiting partners) to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority prior to the start of the placement and as part of this process an enhanced CRB check will be required.
For longer term placements all adults living at the address will require ISA registration.
Further advice: email Colywn Griffiths in the Herts Safe Staffing (CRB) team on colwyn.griffiths@hertscc.gov.uk (see also Safe Staffing (CRB) Section )
Help and Advice
For help and advice please contact your establishment's Visits Co-ordinator
in the first instance.
Name |
Position |
Responsibilities |
Tel No. |
Mark Falkingham |
Offsite Visits Adviser |
All aspects of offsite visits, including Evolve |
01992 556491 |
Ron Hodgson |
County D of E Officer |
Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions |
01992 628403 |
Beverley Brennan |
Offsite Visits Admin Support |
Administration on Evolve e.g re-setting Heads'/OVC passwords, transferring staff accounts, training course booking enquiries |
01992 556478 |
Lynne Apostolos |
Insurance Officer |
Insurance enquiries relating to offsite visits |
01992 555593 |
Guy Bradley |
Road Safety Officer |
Use of Minibuses |
01992 556818 |
|
