Garda Vetting Service
What is Garda Vetting?
Garda Vetting is the process by which a Garda Vetting Application Form is submitted to the National Vetting Bureau asking them to check if a person has any convictions and / or prosecutions, successful or not, pending or completed, recorded against their name.
Do volunteers need to be vetted?
Yes. The National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Adults) Acts 2012 to 2016, makes it a legal requirement to vet those involved in ‘any work or activity which is carried out by a person, where a necessary and regular part of that work requires the participation of the person in relevant work or activities
An organisation or person who contravenes this legal requirement shall be guilty of an offence
It is up to the organisation to decide whether or not a volunteer position requires vetting. This should be assessed while the organisation is in the process of developing the role description for each individual volunteer position. It is important to remember that Garda Vetting is but one stage of the screening of volunteers.
Garda Vetting and Clare Volunteer Centre
Clare Volunteer Centre, as part of our commitment to supporting and promoting volunteering runs a Garda Vetting service for voluntary and community groups. All Volunteer Centres now act as an Authorised Signatory for Garda Vetting purposes for voluntary and community organisations that do not otherwise have access to an authorised signatory. Volunteer Ireland and member Volunteer Centres have developed a number of documents to ensure best practice in and assist organisations with Garda Vetting and an agreement on the service with the Garda Vetting Unit and Data Protection.
How does it work?
To avail of our service:
- Your organisation will be required to register with us.
- Your organisation will be required to meet work with us to achieve an understanding of what the Garda Vetting process involves.
- Your organisation will be expected to have certain policies and procedures in place before commencing Garda Vetting, for example, confidentiality policy, data protection policy, Garda Vetting policy. Copies of generic polices can be obtained from your local volunteer centre.
- Your organisation will be required to sign an agreement with your local volunteer centre giving them the authority to act on your behalf as an Authorised Signatory for Garda Vetting purposes.
Garda Vetting – a quick guide to the process
- Clare Volunteer Centre will act as the Authorised Signatory on behalf of your organisation.
- Prior to commencing, Clare Volunteer Centre will give you copies of relevant information documents and forms and will meet with you to discuss your needs
- Once your organisation has signed and returned the required forms, we will begin the process of Garda Vetting for you
For more information on this service please contact sharon@volunteerclare.ie
