Vetting of tradesmen (FOI)

Request

Under the Freedom of Information law I would like to request the following in relation to the vetting of tradesmen / women.

When the tradesmen complete their Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check:

A

Is it checked via the school / property holding (or any 3rd party other than the company) to ensure there are no offences listed on it?

B

If no further checks are completed after the company has received the individuals DBS check why is this?

C

If a 3rd party does ensure no criminals are entering schools (primary schools with vulnerable people) how many have been excluded in the past three years?

Please note I have seen tradesmen in schools (including primary schools) which have criminal records (for drug / violent offences) during school times (0830-1500).

D

What offences would exclude a tradesman / women from entering a school during school time?

E

If a company is found to be withholding DBS checks (offences of tradesmen) will that company void their contract with property holdings?

Response

A

As part of the tender process and final Contract for Services, each Trade Organisation carrying out work on behalf of Jersey Property Holdings is responsible for ensuring that their employees (and the employees of their sub-contractors) are DBS checked and have a clear criminal record. Jersey Property Holdings reserves the right to view each operative’s DBS returns and to refuse any employee / operative as a result of a failed record.

B

No specific checks have been undertaken (although we reserve the right to undertake them) because of the strict processes and procedures that are in place across all Government managed and maintained schools.

C

We do not hold information in relation to checks made by third parties on behalf of the Trade Companies under contract with us.

D

Each individuals DBS check would be reviewed and risks assessed if any offences were brought to our attention. When reactive or emergency works are required or a contractor cannot provide proof of a DBS check they are chaperoned / escorted to ensure supervision is maintained at all times during the working activities. If the scheduled works are intrusive to the school’s occupational functionality they are scheduled to be undertaken outside of normal working hours, after 5:00pm or on a weekend. Lanyards and signing in / out procedures are in operation across all schools.

E

If a Trades Company under contract with us was found to be deliberately withholding DBS checks this could prevent them undertaking planned maintenance works across any of the Government properties and may lead to the termination of their contract due to their failure to fulfil that contract.

However, as stated earlier, planned works could be carried out outside of normal school hours with the agreement of Jersey Property Holdings and Schools.