Section 2: Vetting Checks for Non-UK Applicants
For detailed guidance for each country we have found both the Canadian and the UK Government websites to be useful. We have also made our own list of countries where we know checks cannot be obtained. We would advise that all three places are checked before any guidance is sent out.
Canadian Government Website
Although used for Canadian Immigration, this website has a useful drop-down list of all countries which has been separated out into guidance for citizens, non-citizens, in country and out of country applications. This means it can be used as guidance for those outside of Canada. We have found that it seems to be updated more frequently than the UK Government Website, so we would suggest this as a first point of reference.
UK Government Website
This is the official UK Government Guidance. It is useful as a second point of reference together with the information found in the Canadian guidance and often has useful email and telephone contacts.
Unobtainable Vetting Checks
On some occasions a country may be listed on the above websites, but we know from experience that it is not possible to obtain a vetting check. For these cases we have made a separate list which we keep updated as new information becomes available.
Switzerland, the Netherlands and the UK
For all three of these countries the application process requires extra guidance. In the case of Switzerland and the Netherlands, vetting checks require a confirmation from the employer before the application form can be sent off.
In both instances ‘the employer’ refers to the organisation for whom the applicant is currently undertaking work (either on a paid or voluntary basis). For our purposes this will be the Chaplaincy. The Safeguarding Officer should therefore complete any sections required by ‘the employer’ on behalf of the Chaplaincy.
Switzerland
There are two vetting checks available in Switzerland, it is the Special Excerpt that is required. In order to apply for a Swiss Special Excerpt, the applicant will need to:
- Request an Employer’s Confirmation from the Safeguarding Officer.
- Complete the online application for a Special Excerpt.
The Safeguarding Officer should refer to this guidance for a step by step guide to completing the employer’s confirmation.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands vetting check is called a VOG and the application form can be found on their website. In order to apply for a Netherlands VOG, the applicant will need to:
- Ask the Safeguarding Officer to complete Section 2 of the application form and provide a brief job description which should be attached to the application form.
The Safeguarding Officer should refer to this guidance for a step by step guide to completing Section 2 of the application form.
The UK
The eligibility guidance and application process are different for applicants who have previously spent more than 6 months located in the UK. The process for this vetting check is completed by the applicant, the Chaplaincy and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. As such, there is separate guidance for this in Section 3: UK DBS Guidance.
Sending Out the Guidance
After establishing the countries that will require vetting checks, the Safeguarding Officer will need to send the applicant the guidance for each one (see Fig. 1 for an example).
Figure 1.
