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Mental health background checks: new guidance issued by Home Office Mental health background checks: new guidance issued by Home Office
(about 1 hour later)
New guidelines to be issued by the Home Office will spell out the factors that must be considered before mental health crises are disclosed in background checks. New guidelines to be issued by the Home Office will make clear the factors that must be considered before mental health crises are disclosed in background checks made on people applying to work with vulnerable groups.
Police will be required to examine issues such as a person’s behaviour at the time and how long ago the crisis happened when assessing whether detention under the Mental Health Act should be included on criminal record certificates.Police will be required to examine issues such as a person’s behaviour at the time and how long ago the crisis happened when assessing whether detention under the Mental Health Act should be included on criminal record certificates.
The instructions relate to disclosure and barring (DBS) checks required for certain jobs and voluntary roles, including those that involve working with children. The instructions relate to disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks required for certain jobs and voluntary roles, including those that involve working with children.
Campaigners say a lack of clarity in the current system has meant that people held under the act could be unnecessarily excluded from posts.Campaigners say a lack of clarity in the current system has meant that people held under the act could be unnecessarily excluded from posts.
Related: True employment equality is still a pipedream for people with mental health problems | Clare AllanRelated: True employment equality is still a pipedream for people with mental health problems | Clare Allan
A review conducted last year found that in some cases, irrelevant or partial information about detention under the act is being released.A review conducted last year found that in some cases, irrelevant or partial information about detention under the act is being released.
The Home Office said the new guidance, which will be issued on Monday, states: The Home Office said the guidance, which will be issued on Monday, states:
Paul Farmer, the chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, welcomed the move. He said: “The nature of the current process means that people who are perfectly able to do a job may be unnecessarily excluded because of a lack of clarity about what should and shouldn’t be disclosed. Paul Farmer, chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, welcomed the move. He said: “The nature of the current process means that people who are perfectly able to do a job may be unnecessarily excluded because of a lack of clarity about what should and shouldn’t be disclosed.
“There is no reason why having a mental health problem or having been previously detained under the Mental Health Act should necessarily be a red flag when it comes to DBS checks.“There is no reason why having a mental health problem or having been previously detained under the Mental Health Act should necessarily be a red flag when it comes to DBS checks.
“This guidance is an important next step in providing greater clarity, but there is still room to go further.”“This guidance is an important next step in providing greater clarity, but there is still room to go further.”
Home Office minister Karen Bradley said the guidelines aim to make the system fairer without lessening protection. She said: “It is important that checks provide employers with the information they need to protect children and vulnerable groups.Home Office minister Karen Bradley said the guidelines aim to make the system fairer without lessening protection. She said: “It is important that checks provide employers with the information they need to protect children and vulnerable groups.
“At the same time, police disclosure of information relating to mental ill health can have a significant impact on the lives of those concerned, including their employment opportunities.
Related: Disclosing a mental health problem to employersRelated: Disclosing a mental health problem to employers
“At the same time, police disclosure of information relating to mental ill health can have a significant impact on the lives of those concerned, including their employment opportunities.
“We want to support the police in their decision making by providing additional statutory guidance on mental health. This will help ensure that chief police officers take the right factors into account when considering each case and that any information disclosed is relevant and proportionate.”“We want to support the police in their decision making by providing additional statutory guidance on mental health. This will help ensure that chief police officers take the right factors into account when considering each case and that any information disclosed is relevant and proportionate.”
Alistair Burt, the care minister, said the changes will help prevent people being stigmatised as they attempt to find work or volunteering opportunities. He said: “Having a mental illness is not a crime – your medical history wouldn’t be flagged to your employer, so it’s right that we make the same true for someone who’s had a mental health crisis.”Alistair Burt, the care minister, said the changes will help prevent people being stigmatised as they attempt to find work or volunteering opportunities. He said: “Having a mental illness is not a crime – your medical history wouldn’t be flagged to your employer, so it’s right that we make the same true for someone who’s had a mental health crisis.”