Drug Interventions Programme
Workforce issues
Autumn 2005 saw the launch of an exciting new recruitment campaign by the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) to recruit a number of Criminal Justice Drug Workers as part of the government’s commitment to break the link between crime and drug use.
DIP commissioned Skills for Justice to develop and implement an advanced apprenticeship scheme for criminal justice drug workers. The apprentices are based with an employer and attend college part time. Over the two-year apprenticeship, they work towards an NVQ and continuing development award for substance misuse at levels 3 and 4. These awards offer a common framework for enhancing the skills of workers who enter the sector from a variety of backgrounds with existing qualifications and skills, and a continuing professional development (CPD) framework for all workers.
With the recent growth of the workforce in the drug treatment sector, it has become increasingly clear that vetting processes can lead to delays in the recruitment of new staff. It is also the case that non-police personnel vetting decisions can exclude otherwise suitable and competent candidates because they have a criminal record. DIP has considered how to improve this situation whilst ensuring that no damage is done to the integrity of appropriate police security procedures.
The guidance produced aims to explain:
- the criteria which police forces adopt in granting vetting clearance
- the overall vetting process, describing the checks involved
- the information which is needed before a check can be carried out
- what employers can do to improve the process
- the difference between Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and police checks
- how police might consider exercising discretion in the case of certain drug workers
