The National Register for Sex Offenders contains the particulars of individuals who have been convicted of sexual offences against children and mentally disabled people. Apply for a clearance certificate to find out whether you, a prospective employee, or someone else is on the register.
I’ve written about the need for greater oversight where the care of children is concerned before, explaining how Unregistered daycare facilities pose a danger to young children. However all children deserve protection, and using the NRSO in the vetting process of prospective educators and carers can enhance overall child safety and provide parents with added peace of mind.
The website of the Department of Justice provides a list of crimes against children and mentally disabled children which would make an offender eligible for inclusion on the NRSO. While the wording on the website itself deserves some attention, the list includes the following crimes:
Individual entries in the NRSO will contain a convicted offender’s personal details and contact details, as well as the type of offence and whether it was committed against a child or a mentally disabled person.
At present, there are three separate applications for an NRSO Clearance Certificate to choose from. However, it is important to note that there are limitations on who may submit requests for clearance certificates. Eligible entities include:
Each application form has a checklist of requirements, as indicated below.
Form J738: Applying for a Clearance Certificate for yourself
You will need to complete and sign Form 7 [J738], and submit your application along with:
Form J739: Applying for a Clearance Certificate on behalf of someone else by a relevant authority
Form 8 [J739] is intended for an authority or institution applying on behalf of another person(s). Examples of such authorities and institutions include creches, schools, and other educational institutions where adults are charged with the care or education of children or disabled individuals, adoption agencies, caregiving institutions, and so on.
Fully complete form J739, and submit it along with:
Form J958: Applying for a Clearance Certificate as an individual on behalf of someone else
Use Form 8A [J958] if you are not an authority or institution, but wish to apply for a Clearance Certificate on behalf of someone else. Submit your application along with:
Applying for an NRSO Clearance Certificate is not without responsibility. Individuals contained in the NRSO are not allowed to work with children or individuals who are mentally disabled, irrespective of when the offence occurred or whether the individual had already been employed in such a position at the time of the offence. Individuals who are employed in a position where there is contact with children or mentally disabled individuals are obligated to inform their employers immediately. Not doing so may amount to imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Employers who discover that an employee is on the register are obligated to ensure that the employee in question does not have contact with children or individuals who are mentally disabled, such as transferring the individual in question to another department or post. Where the latter isn’t possible, the individual’s employment should be terminated.
In the same breath, it should be noted that disclosing the identity or personal details of an individual whose details appear in the NRSO is itself a criminal offence. This is of particular importance when an employee contained in the NRSO is facing dismissal for the same reason.
CSI Africa’s National Capture Partner network makes it easy to get the fingerprint reports needed for NRSO Clearance Certificates. We also provide detailed background checks and polygraphs on prospective and current employees to help educational institutions provide safe learning environments for children.
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13 Responses
Can you assist with a clearance process for teachers?
Jane – yes we do assist teachers on a daily basis with police clearance as well as registration with SACE. Please send an email to: services@csinvestigate.co.za
Good day, I work for a security company and we have officers at schools and the requirements are that they have an NSRO clearance certificate before working on the site. What is the process and how does it work?
Hallo – we assist with these checks. You can send an email to services@csinvestigate.co.za to start the process. Basically it requires 3 checks – One from SAPS, one from Department of Justice and another from Department of Social Development. They would need to submit fingerprints and copies of their ID’s as well as application forms.
can you assit in find if some one is on sex register as far back as 1977
Good day, how long does it take to obtain the clearance for teachers ?
Hallo it can take from 1 hour to 48 hours. If you need a police clearance for teaching please send an email to: services@csinvestigate.co.za
Good day,
I am South African and require a Sexual Offenders report/certificate for my teaching position.
Could you kindly provide me with an indication regarding whether you can assist? A timeframe? The necessary documentation you require? And the cost?
Your assistance is much appreciated.
Kind regards
Vanessa Brand-Ho
Good day – you can send an email to services@csinvestigate.co.za – we can assist with the process
If u where conficted before ,the National register of sex offenders was amend will your name appear on. the register
Good day – only sexual offences is recorded against the National register of sex offenders.
Good day
I am working in a different government department. On the premise there is a primary and a high school, education district, and another education department. Should everyone that works on the premise be cleared on the child sex offenders register, and the other requirements prescribed, i.e., police clearance. Even though I am not working with the school children.
Please advise.
Good day Peter
Everyone that works on the premise should be checked. (in other words if you have access to the children) Gardener, Security, Kitchen staff etc.