Criminal Records Officer

West Midlands Police · Birmingham

Previous applicants who have not previously been successful for this role in the last 6 months are not eligible to apply on this occasion.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions by processing and issuing DBS checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. DBS also prevents unsuitable people from working with children and/or vulnerable adults through its barring function.

The role of Criminal Records Officer is to process applications for Enhanced DBS checks in relation to persons wishing to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. The role requires an individual who is able to interrogate complex Police computer systems and databases to check for relevant information held against a DBS applicant in line with the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). Once the information has been gathered, a detailed risk assessment needs to be conducted to establish an applicant’s suitability to work with vulnerable groups in accordance with relevant legislation. The role requires a highly motivated individual who is confident working in a target driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

To search, interrogate and extract information from various Police systems and databases to identify records held in relation to the DBS applicant. To analyse and evaluate all information found from varied sources using the National Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) and prepare the Audit Trail (AT) document, presenting all relevant information clearly and concisely in the Hit Relevance Table, summarising all relevant factors and considerations within the report.
Use decision making skills to analyse, risk assess and determine whether the relevant information recorded on the AT document can be discarded and if so, clearly document the rationale for discarding relevant information in accordance with QAF.
To escalate the DBS application to a Decision Maker in a timely manner, with the appropriate briefing report to support the disclosure decision, when the information cannot be discarded (disclosure is required).
To liaise with internal colleagues, DBS, other forces and external agencies in respect of the work of the Unit, either in person, by phone or via e-mail to obtain further information in relation to decision making and maintaining contact to ensure these requests are returned in a timely manner.
To provide advice and guidance on DBS to internal departments, external agencies and members of the public either in person, via phone or via e-mail.
To receive all DBS applications via the DBS IT system, ensuring that the information on the application is accurate, that the applicant is eligible to apply and the applications have resulted correctly when returned to DBS.

Click here to view the full details of the role including the Essential, Desirable and any educational requirements for the role.

Contact: For further information regarding this role, please email dbsmanagers@westmidlands.police.uk

Hours of Work and Flexibility:-This is a full-time position working between core hours of 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. The role is hybrid working with 60% of working days on-site.

Selection Process

Online Application and Sift - You will complete an online application form, which will be reviewed against the skills, experience and behaviours required for the role.

Closing Date:- Thursday 29th October at 23:55 hours

Interview - Candidates who successfully pass the application stage will be invited to attend an interview. This will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the role. Interviews dates TBC

Pre-Employment Checks - If you are selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to successfully complete relevant pre-employment checks before receiving a formal offer. For internal candidates, some checks may not be required. Checks may include:

Vetting Checks - You must successfully complete the required level of Recruitment vetting and Counter Terrorism clearance before starting the role. This may include providing information relating to your background and financial history as part of the vetting process. Click here for more information.
Medical Checks - Appointment to this role is subject to successfully completing medical checks. This may include a drugs test and, where required, a fitness assessment.
Reference Checks - You will need to provide details covering at least five years of employment, education or other relevant activity history.

We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process and reasonable adjustments are available for those who need them.

West Midlands Police is the second-largest police force in England, serving more than 2.9 million people across Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. Every day, our people work together to keep our communities safe, protect vulnerable people, prevent crime and bring offenders to justice.

We answer more than 2,000 emergency calls every day and provide policing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting victims, investigating crime or working behind the scenes, every role plays a vital part in delivering an outstanding service to the public.

We're proud of the progress we've made in reducing crime, improving emergency response times and increasing arrest rates. These achievements are only possible because of the dedication, professionalism and expertise of our officers, staff and volunteers. As we continue to transform the way we police, we're looking for talented people who are committed to making a real difference.

Why Join West Midlands Police?

A career with West Midlands Police is about more than a job, it's an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people. Whatever your role, you'll contribute to keeping our communities safe while developing your own skills and career.

When you join us, you'll benefit from:

Meaningful work that makes a difference every day.
A diverse range of career opportunities across policing and professional support services.
High-quality training, development and opportunities to progress.
A supportive and inclusive working environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential.
Competitive pay, generous annual leave, excellent pension arrangements and a wide range of employee benefits.
The opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues who share a common purpose.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce helps us better understand and serve the communities we protect. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of the Government's Disability Confident scheme, we are committed to removing barriers to employment and supporting disabled applicants and employees throughout their careers. Through our Disability Confident Interview Scheme, applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for a role will normally be offered an interview, subject to the scheme's terms and any recruitment constraints.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Vision is to maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness, respect and inclusion, enabling us to deliver the best possible service to our communities.

Professional Standards

Working in policing is a position of trust. Our officers and staff are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate vetting and are expected to uphold the ethical standards and responsibilities that come with serving the public.

Recruitment and the Use of AI

We recognise that many candidates use AI tools to support activities such as proofreading and improving the presentation of written applications. This is acceptable, provided the content you submit accurately reflects your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applications must be your own work. Any evidence of plagiarism, false or misleading information, or the inappropriate use of AI during assessments or selection activities where it is not permitted may result in your application being rejected.

Benefits

We know that supporting our people is essential to delivering the best service to our communities. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of employee benefits, wellbeing support and development opportunities to help you thrive throughout your career.

Visit our Benefits page to find out more about the rewards and support available when you join West Midlands Police.

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