The Churches' Agency for Safeguarding is a membership organisation made up of Formal and Informal (associate) members. Our membership terms and conditions are as follows:
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1. Conditions of Membership - (Full & Informal Membership)
CAS operates within a legal framework set by government legislation. All member bodies must therefore have recruitment procedures which comply with legislation:
Member churches/church organisations are required to fulfil the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Code of Practice. All applicants for paid or voluntary work must be informed of the Code of Practice and told how to obtain a copy. A copy can be downloaded from the Members Pack or from the CRB website www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk
- Members' Board of Trustees or Management Committee should pass a resolution appointing CAS as its Registered Body for the purpose of undertaking CRB checks.
Member churches/church organisations are required to have their own Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups policy and 'Recruitment of Offenders' policy which must be made available to all applicants and volunteers.
Members must have in place robust recruitment procedures. The CRB disclosure is only part of this. The recruitment process, whether for ministers, paid staff or volunteers must include a signed application form detailing experience, qualifications, references and a declaration in respect of offences against children. There should be a clear job description stating to whom the applicant is accountable and which is the appointing body.
- Each member church /church body must supply an authorised list of approved verifiers to the CAS office. While recognising that each member church/church body is entitled to make its own recruitment decisions based upon CAS advice, such decisions must be within the standards of suitability/unsuitability used by CAS itself.
Members must have regard to high standards of security and data storage in relation to recruitment and adhere to the CRB Code of Practice on storing information.
- 2. How to join CAS
You can join CAS either by completing an online membership application form (click here) and sending us copies of your Board Resolution appointing CAS, Verifier declaration forms, Child Protection and Vulnrable Adults Protection policies and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders policy (email us to request examples of model polices). Alternatively you can download or request an application pack.
- 3. Resources for completing CRB application forms
- CAS provides the following resources to help you with completing CRB application forms:
CAS form
Documentary Evidence Sheet
ID Docs guidance
Guidance notes on completing the application form
Please complete the relevant membership or CRB application forms and return them to:
The Churches' Agency for Safeguarding
25 Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5JR
4. Useful contacts
· Telephone advice and assistance with CRB applications - CAS staff 020 7467 5216
· Useful websites
CRB website: www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk
