Garda Vetting Briefing Session November/December 2017

WHAT IS GARDA VETTING? The process by which the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) gives a statement on whether a person has had any convictions - pending or completed - recorded against their name

THE ACT Enacted on 29th April 2016 The purpose of the Act is to provide a legislative basis for the mandatory vetting of persons who wish to undertake certain work, activities or services relating to children or vulnerable adults Organisations have until 31 December 2017 to become compliant

WHO SHOULD BE VETTED? Any staff member / volunteer who will be doing relevant work Relevant work is any work or activity which is carried out by a person, where a “necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with, children or vulnerable persons”

WHO IS A VULNERABLE PERSON? A person, other than a child, who: a) is suffering from a disorder of the mind, whether as a result of mental illness or dementia, b) has an intellectual disability, c) Is suffering from a physical impairment, whether as a result of injury, illness or age or d) has a physical disability. Which is of such a nature or degree: i. As to restrict the capacity of the person to guard himself or herself against harm by another person, or ii. That results in the person requiring assistance with the activities of daily living including dressing, eating, walking, washing and bathing.

UNDER THE ACT… Vetting subjects are required to be vetted for each individual role that they take up with an organisation Vetting must be carried out before you engage the employee or volunteer (however you can engage them in non-relevant work) An organisation or person who contravenes their legal requirements shall be guilty of an offence (fine of €10,000 or prison sentences of up to 5 years) There is no cost to you or your organisation. We will invoice the Department directly for your vetting.

GARDA VETTING – THE STEPS Your Local Volunteer Centre will contact you inviting you to attend a 2-hour training session You must attend the training session before you can commence Garda Vetting Review documents given to you by the Volunteer Centre Sign the Service Level Agreement with the Volunteer Centre Issue Inviter Forms to Volunteers Submit Inviter forms to Volunteer Centre for processing

WHAT’S COVERED IN THE TRAINING? … Oversight of the Act Why you need to vet and who should and shouldn’t be vetted? Steps involved in the vetting process The process of Garda Vetting How to Complete Inviter and online e-vetting forms … basically everything you need to know to complete the tasks of vetting.

Thank you Thank you for your attention Any questions or comments? Volunteer Ireland