Can statutory checks include information about overseas residence?

Overseas residence can form part of a fostering assessment, but it is not usually covered by a standard UK criminal record check alone. The assessing service must consider what reliable safeguarding information can be obtained from the relevant country and how any gaps should be addressed.

The process may involve more than one source of information. Depending on the circumstances, the assessing team may consider:

• an overseas police or criminal record certificate, where the country provides one;
• confirmation of identity, immigration status or permission to live in the country during the relevant period;
• references from employers, professional contacts, landlords or others who knew you abroad;
• information about any children or vulnerable adults for whom you had responsibility;
• your explanation of the reason for living overseas, the nature of your work or activities there, and why you returned to the UK; and
• other documents that help verify your circumstances if an official record is unavailable.

The type of check available varies significantly between countries. Some have a central criminal records service, while others require an application through a police authority, court, embassy or another government body. A certificate may also cover only a particular period, address or type of offence. The assessing team should explain which documents are relevant and whether they need to be issued by a particular authority.

A UK Disclosure and Barring Service check should not be treated as proof that a person has no overseas convictions or safeguarding history. Its coverage is based on UK records, so information from another country may need to be requested separately. Equally, not being able to obtain a foreign certificate does not automatically mean that someone cannot foster. The agency should record what attempts were made, identify any limitations, and consider whether other evidence can provide sufficient reassurance.

Some practical issues can affect overseas checks:

• the country may not release records to individuals or overseas organisations;
• records may be held in a different language and require an appropriate translation;
• names may have changed, or documents may use a different spelling or order of names;
• the country may not retain records for the whole period being considered; or
• political conditions, conflict or administrative restrictions may make a check impossible.

Where information is incomplete, the assessing social worker will normally look at the wider evidence rather than relying on one document. This can include comparing the account given in the application with address history, employment information, references and other statutory checks. Any unexplained inconsistency, conviction or safeguarding concern should be discussed openly and assessed in context. A previous conviction is not necessarily an automatic bar to fostering, but its nature, seriousness, relevance, age and relationship to the safety of children will be important.

If you have lived abroad, provide accurate information at the start of the assessment and tell the fostering service about every country and period requested. Do not assume that a short period, dual nationality or residence many years ago is irrelevant. The service can then establish what evidence is proportionate and advise you about applications, translations and any documents that need to be certified. Delays in obtaining overseas evidence can affect the assessment timetable, so raising the issue early is sensible.

The final assessment should explain what overseas checks were completed, what information was obtained and how any unavailable evidence was considered. The decision-maker must then take that information together with the rest of the assessment when deciding whether the household can safely meet the needs of a looked-after child.