I am not sure if Tony was saying the measure was intrusive. The linked page has BSAC nominated as intrusive.
Adrian
OK...so I gave Tony the benefit of the doubt and searched the site linked again.
This time I found it
(its a good site by the way)
I guess he's referring to nomination 29.
All those who know anything about the history of this issue within the BSAC will understand that the signature required on BSAC membership and renewal forms that related to police checks was removed some years ago. So the nominaton is out-of-date and does not apply to the BSAC any more.
It is important that prospective members understand that we no longer endorse such widespread and qholesale intrusion.
There was some general public hysteria in relation to Paedophilia and the desire for criminal record checks several years ago. The BSAC responded in the way it was advised by Social Services and the NSPCC. The membership voiced their concerns at the policy and it was very soon modified.
For everyone's information the ONLY way to get a criminal record check (unless you are a senior police officer conducting an official investigation) is for the person concerned to apply for it through a registered body. No-one can have a check done on them unless they specifically request it, using the correct form, and submit it to a properly registerd organisation.
The BSAC has registered as such an organisation and so can process applications from members...but at present will only do so if that persons branch has altered its constitution at a General Meeting specifically to enable them to request criminal record checks. In this case the branch will have to inform prospective members of the requirement to undergo a check at their initial contact (even if the branch only requires instructors to undergo checks).
The BSAC has stated it has no plans to ask the general membership to undergo criminal record checks - but that it is prepared to facilitate the process for those branches whose members have decided that they would like to undergo checks.
In every case where checks are required the BSAC has insisted that the whole of the branch is included in the decision to request checks - and that even if the checks are restricted to a special class of member within the branch that ALL members are informed of the policy BEFORE they join.
If anyone requires more information see the Welfare Guidance at the link below (and if they still have questions they should contact me at <a href="mailto:welfare@bsac.com">welfare@bsac.com</a>)
John