Anyone considered for the position of Elder, MS, .. should have a background check.
I wholeheartedly agree with this. Every elder and MS must be obliged to have an enhanced DBS check (not sure about pioneers?) The Watchtower should be required to partner up with a professional body who have the knowledge and experience to make judgements on every DBS result.
However there are significant issues regarding confidentiality to be negotiated.
Here is how the system works in football in the UK...
1 - New volunteers who have access to children go online to the DBS website and select which ID documents they wish to use to confirm their identity.
2 - An authorised person at the club physically sees those documents and confirms online that they are satisfied the person is who they claim to be.
3 - The volunteer fills in a request for an enhanced DBS check and the club pays the fee.
4 - The Disclosure and Barring Service completes a check into all criminal records and other intelligence held regarding that person.
5 - The detailed results of the check are sent only to the volunteer. This is vital for data protection.
6 - The child welfare unit at Wembley, staffed by professionals, are simply informed by the DBS that the check was either all-clear or that there are issues.
7 - If the check is all-clear the club are informed by Wembley that the new volunteer is ok to work with children pending completion of a child welfare course. If there are issues then Wembley writes to the individual giving them a deadline to send the report they received from the DBS to the child welfare unit at Wembley otherwise they will be suspended from that date and the club will be informed that the person should not be allowed to work with children. No reason will be given.
8 - If the volunteer submits their report to Wembley a member of the professional child welfare unit will make a decision on whether the record affects their suitability to world with children and the club will be informed. A drunk and disorderly years ago will not usually be a problem.
This system weeds out many unsuitable people every year but it is only a start. A clean DBS certificate only proves somebody has not been caught yet. The most important factor is that the club has suitable practices and procedures, effective mentoring and accountability.
This latest letter does not even begin to make the organisation's child welfare procedures fit for purpose.
I wonder how many elders and MSs they would lose immediately if they did the right thing.