Crime and intelligence - Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (CSODS) policy (N19)

N19 Child Sexual Offender Disclosure Scheme

1. Summary of changes

1.1 The following amendments have been made to this policy in March 2025:
• Paragraphs 2.2, 2.4, 3.4 and 3.5, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1 and 7 updated. 

2. What this Policy is About

2.1 This policy provides the process through which Kent Police operate the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (referred to throughout this policy as the CSODS).

2.2 This policy describes how Kent Police will manage disclosure under the Child Sex Offender Disclosure scheme, which has two recognised routes for disclosure, the ‘Right to Ask’ and the ‘Right to Know’.

“Right to Ask” is triggered by a member of the public applying to the police for a disclosure. It allows members of the public to report concerns about a named individual and the risk posed by that person for contact with a child or children. Where this individual has convictions for child sexual offences and is considered a risk, there is a presumption that this information will be disclosed the person best placed to safeguard the child, who may not be the applicant.

“Right to Know” is triggered by the police making a proactive decision to protect a potential victim. This entry route is to allow police to act proactively when they are in receipt of information about a risk to a child (children) rather than directing the individual to have to make an additional request to Police when it is already known that disclosure is necessary and proportionate.

2.3 The CSODS is focused on disclosure and risk management where the subject is identified as being convicted (including cautions, reprimands, and final warnings) of Child Sexual Offences. The CSODS also includes routes for managed access to information regarding individuals who are not convicted child sexual offenders but who pose a risk of harm to children.

2.4 The key stages of the CSODS ‘Right to Ask’ process are:
• Initial contact by applicant.
• Initial Intel checks by Police - to be completed within 24 hours of initial contact.
• Face to face interview – to be completed within 10 working days of initial contact.
• Full risk assessment.
• Decision making for concern / no concern.
• Disclosure (if required)
• The CSODS process from start to finish is to be completed within 28 days of initial contact.
• The above timescale may by extended if extenuating circumstances exist. The extension must be required and justified and MUST be fully documented on the Athena crime report.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3. Statement of Policy

3.1 The Children Act 2004 makes the Police a relevant partner to the local authority to improve the wellbeing of children. The Act places a duty on all agencies to cooperate to safeguard children. Kent Police recognise that children are vulnerable and work closely with partner agencies to ensure they are protected from serious harm.

3.2 The CSODS is a national scheme that provides a process where the public can report concerns to Kent Police in confidence regarding named individuals and their access to children. Each application will be dealt with promptly and professionally. Where information relevant to the protection of a child is held, Kent Police will assess the risk and where lawful and necessary, provide such information to the person best placed to safeguard the child.

3.3 Through CSODS Kent Police engage directly with the public. We will provide advice and support. Where information is disclosed, such information will assist and empower parents and others to make essential safeguarding decisions themselves.

3.4 It is essential that this scheme is not used in isolation. Kent police work closely with partners where needed and have consideration of other safeguarding issues to ensure that any possible risk of harm to children are fully assessed and managed. The CSODS may overlap or compliment other disclosure processes such as Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference, Multi-agency Public Protection Meetings.

3.5 If the police are the owners of the information that is to be disclosed, they have the ability to authorise disclosures for a statutory purpose without the need to seek authority from other agencies. If other agencies are involved in the case, then it is best practice to consult with them during the investigation and to consider any representations that they may wish to make with regards to the issue of disclosure (Paragraph 71 Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme).

3.6 Where any crime or breach of conditions is identified during the course of a CSODs process Kent Police will respond, ensuring the safety of victims and the public and bringing offenders to justice.

4. Implications of the Policy

4.1 Finance/Staff/Training/Other - There are no significant financial, staffing or training issues with CSODS.

4.2 Risk Assessment(s) - Police officers and police staff will adopt a generic risk assessment in line with the relevant procedures and in accordance with their particular roles.

4.3. An equality impact assessment has been conducted and shows the proposals in this procedure would have no potential or an actual differential impact on any protected characteristics. This Policy and associated SOP are assessed as being low risk.

5. Consultation

5.1 CSODS is a scheme entirely managed within the Public Protection (PP) Command, regular consultation takes place between the Force Control Incident Room (FCIR) and PP as the only two departments involved.

6. Monitoring and Review

6.1 This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review due in March 2027.

7. Other Source Documents

o The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (CSODS)
o Child sex offender disclosure scheme: police guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK
o Working Together To Safeguard Children Guidance 2023

8. Security

8.1. Kent Police has measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy (Policy W1000 - Information Management).

9. Retention and Disposal of Records

9.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal Policy (Policy W1012 - Records Review, Retention and Disposal).