Background Checks for NJJC members and Mushin Budo Instructors
Mushin Budo Association is no longer a Registered Body, since we do not process sufficient applications a year to satisfy the CRB criteria (from 1 April 2007). However, we can still offer martial arts instructors a means to obtain their background checks (Disclosure).
More activities for the under 16s are coming under scrutiny by Governing Bodies, Local Councils and, most importantly, parents. If you run an activity for under 16s, it makes sense to be able to assure all concerned that the instructor or coach working with the children has nothing in their background which precludes them from working with the young and vulnerable. The likelihood is that a Disclosure will be necessary to obtain Professional Indemnity Insurance in the coming year.
Individuals cannot apply directly for their own Disclosure Certificate. It is a necessary part of the procedure to have your application countersigned by a Registered Body. Countersigning verifies the identity of the applicant by checking details supplied against documents specified to be seen. Mushin Budo can verify the documnts needed for proof of identity and then pass your application on for countersigning. This is simply done by contacting us for an application form, sending us your completed application form and your documents. We will process your application and will return your documents to you promptly if you supply us with a stamped and addressed envelope for the purpose. A Disclosure Certificate does not have an expiry date. They are dated, and naturally the longer the time that has elapsed since the Certificate was issued, the less relevant that information becomes. Five years is considered acceptable, two years in some circumstances. You can use a Disclosure Certificate more than once - for instance if you teach at different venues, or apply for several part-time jobs.
If you hire a hall in a sports centre or from another source (e.g. community centre) and you are asked to provide them with your Disclosure, it is up to you, the owner of the disclosure, whether you wish to comply.You need to contact us by telephone on 01322 406536 or 07957 123541. We will advise you on the type of disclosure you should request. You should tell us if you are a volunteer (i.e. unpaid). We will send you an application form, and you will then complete it, sign and date it, and send it to us together with documents to confirm your identify, a cheque to cover the cost of processing the Disclosure and an SAE for return of your documents. Volunteer instructors pay us only a small fee for this service, currently £20.00. We check the details and countersign the application. We then send the form to the Registered Body and return your documents to you by return post. Disclosures are taking about six weeks to process. You receive your Disclosure Certificate and we receive a copy which we keep on confidential file for a short period.
We have a strict Code of Practice and undertake to treat all information as highly confidential and do not keep the file longer than necessary. We keep all files securely. We undertake to dispose of files in a secure manner by shredding, pulping or burning. You can have a copy of our Code of Practice on request.
Contact the following web sites for more information:
The Disclosure ServiceThe Criminal Records Bureau
