Keeping children safe: your right to ask for a police check :Cross Stitch – Parents

If you are worried about someone in your child’s life, you can get them checked by the police to see if they have a record of child sexual offences. Find out what you need to do to get someone checked.

The child sex offender disclosure scheme means anyone can ask for a police check on someone they are worried about. Simply call or visit your local police station for more information. To actually make an application, you will need to visit your local police station in person. At the police station, you will need to:

• show some ID, for example your passport or driving licence
• tell the police what your relationship to the child is
• say why you want to have this particular person checked

The scheme is for anyone who wants to find out if someone in contact with a child has a record of child sexual offences. You could be a family member, friend, neighbour or anyone that’s worried about the child.

Of course, if anyone is worried about the safety of a child then they can and should report that to the police right away. And if you think a child is in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.

The majority of child sexual offenders are known to their victims. They are often a friend of the victim’s family, a friend of the victim, or a member of the victim’s family.

If the check shows a record for child sexual offences, or other offences that might put the child at risk, the police may share this information. However, this information will only be shared with the people best placed to protect the child. This will usually be the child’s parent, carer or guardian. The information might not be shared with the person who made the enquiry.