LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
What screening is legally required and who should be screened?
It is required that persons working with or near children (or the vulnerable) be appropriately vetted. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure their staff, whether paid or unpaid (volunteers), are regularly screened (approximately every 24 months as per the NPA). Failure to acquire the necessary clearance certificates for any staff member may result in possible criminal prosecution against that employer.
The following register clearances are mandatory:
1. National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO)
The Sexual Offences Amendment Act 2007 dictates that anyone employing staff who will in any way come into contact with children at any time during the time of their employ, and, anyone who manages them, have to be vetted against the National Register of Sex Offenders. This ensures that no staff member who has been convicted of a sexual crime against children can access children through employment or volunteering.
The National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) is a confidential database in South Africa containing information about individuals convicted of sexual offenses. It was established to curb sexual offending and re-offending, particularly against vulnerable persons like children.
To apply for a clearance certificate:
You will first need a police clearance or criminal check certificate which is attached to Form 7 and a certified copy of ID, and submitted to the Department of Justice (Sex Offenses Department).
2. National Child Protection Register
Chapter 7 of the Children’s Act of 2005 dictates that any person managing or operating, or who works with or has access to children either as an employee, volunteer or in any other capacity at an institution providing welfare services to children, including a child and youth care centre, a partial care facility, a shelter or drop-in centre, school, sports or social club or association providing services to children, or, religious institutions, must be cleared against the Child Protection Register.
The NCPR is a confidential record that keeps track of individuals who have been found to be unsuitable to work with children.
To apply for a clearance certificate:
Applicants must use form C125 (in the Western Cape) and attach a certified copy of ID, and submitted to the Department of Social Development.
The good news is,
WE WILL HELP YOU TO:
1. To obtain the criminal clearances for all of the staff and volunteers, using electronic fingerprint capturing.
2. Submit your applications to the Department of Justice for your Sex Offenders Register Clearance.
3. Submit your application to the Department of Social Development for the Child Protection Register Clearance.
4. Ensure you receive the resultant certificates for your staff and volunteers.
And, most importantly, we will come to your offices or a designated place to conduct the screening of the staff.