This document is an updated version of the guide ‘Slipping Through the Net’ originally produced by Cifas and the National Fraud Authority as part of the Home Office for the Fighting Fraud and Corruption initiative in 2011. It has been updated by Cifas, Reed Screening and the Better Hiring Institute and aims to give local authorities the tools to prevent employing staff who are not honest about their personal circumstances, achievements, or identities. It also forms part of the Better Hiring Toolkit series. Local authorities today are working harder and harder to provide the best value possible from their diminishing budgets. In a situation where it is so important to provide more for less, the last thing that local authorities want, or need is to employ someone who is not honest from the outset. There is overwhelming public support for keeping dishonest people out of the public services. This guide is intended to provide some pointers to local authorities to help them gain assurance about who they are employing. The Fighting Fraud and Corruption Locally Strategy is supported by the key stakeholders in local government and sets out a framework for addressing fraud within local authorities under five themes of activity. Dealing with potential insider threat fits within these pillars : Govern, Acknowledge, Prevent, Pursue and Protect.
Despite the important collaboration work being carried out by local authorities across the UK to fight fraud committed against them by external parties, it is critical that they continue to manage the threat from within their own authority. The increased demand on services provided by local authorities coupled with cuts to funding means that the opportunity for staff and contractors to commit fraud is greater than ever.
‘Fraud committed against local authorities takes funding directly from those that need it the most. It is therefore crucial that authorities take all steps necessary to protect their precious funds and prevent them falling into the hands of criminals.’
