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The National Association of Private Ambulance Services (
NAPAS) and through it, its registered members, is an approved and registered Umbrella organisation (Reg. No. 20658300000) using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service and (Reg. No NAT2664) using "Disclosure Scotland" Scottish Criminal Record Office, to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust.A registered member of NAPAS complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. It undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed
As registered members of NAPAS they are committed to fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependents, age, physical/mental disability or offending background. We have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders.
We actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential, and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. We select candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience.
Disclosure is only requested after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned. For those positions where a Disclosure is required, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that a Disclosure will be requested in the event of the individual being offered the position
Where a Disclosure is to form part of the recruitment process, we encourage all applicants called for interview to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application process. We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential cover to a designated person within the registered members organisation, and we guarantee that this information will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.
Unless the nature of the position allows the Registered Member Service to ask questions about your entire criminal record we only ask about "UN-spent" convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
NAPAS ensure that all those in Registered Member Services, who are involved in the recruitment process, have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. We also ensure that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, i.e. the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
At interview, or in a separate discussion, we ensure that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer for employment.
We make every subject of a DBS Disclosure aware of the existence of the DBS Code of Practice and make a copy available on request.
We undertake to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the person seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with a NAPAS Registered Service. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offences.
General Policy
Due to the very nature of Ambulance Duties it is NAPAS Policy that:-
All "Operational Staff" and "Directors" "Managers" and "Supervisors" employed by registered member services must undertake an "Enhanced Disclosure" through the DBS or The Scottish Criminal Record Office. s.
To ensure full compliance, and before any exempted questions may be legally asked or a Disclosure applied for, the organisation Voluntary or professional must first register with an appropriate Umbrella Body.
Information for Potential Clients of All Ambulance Services
The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 introduces further offences. It is an offence to apply for, offer to do, accept or do any work with children (paid or unpaid) if disqualified from working with children. Disqualification can arise from inclusion in either the list of those considered unsuitable to work with children, held by the Department of Health, or the Department for Education and Employment list of people who are barred from employment in the education sector. In Addition, the courts can disqualify those convicted of serious offences of a sexual or violent nature from working with children by imposition of a disqualification order. It is an offence knowingly to offer a disqualified person work with children or to allow them to continue in such work. This is being extended to include 'Vulnerable Adults' through other changes in legalisation
All clients of Ambulance Services are reminded that if they use any Ambulance service they should ensure that the service provider has an "appropriate Disclosure Procedure in place registered with the DBS or the SCRO". Otherwise they may open themselves to Legal Challenge under the Human Rights Act 1998 'on the grounds that the organisation failed to protect them sufficiently from abuse of known offenders.
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Disclosure & Barring Service or Disclosure ScotlandClick on any underlined subject for more details use your back button if you leave this site to return
revised 26/4/2020
