Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
Southwell Diocese Briefing Paper (3/04, revised 7/04, 1/05)
NEW Southwell Diocese Briefing Paper – 1/05
This new Briefing Paper highlights four particular areas of interest and concern for churches and individuals concerned with CRB process and protection of the vulnerable. Please note the changes and pass the information on to all relevant parties. Additional copies are available from Pat McNish (patcrb@southwell.anglican.org)
The work of the Criminal Records Bureau is still evolving, and therefore change is here to stay! In the meantime Pat McNish and myself will continue to do all we can to communicate clearly and make the process as easy as possible for all the churches in the Diocese.
Nick Harding, Children's Ministry Adviser
1. What are the main new issues?
The main issues covered in this Briefing Paper are listed below, with more information on each given later in this Paper:
· Mixed-age activities (see 4 below)
· CRB checks for those working with vulnerable adults (See 14 below)
· Renewal of CRB Disclosures (see 10 below)
· Checking that CRB Clearances are being processed (See 13 below)
2. Who needs to be checked?
Since July 2003 we have been processing CRB applications for all volunteers and staff involved in youth and children’s work throughout the Diocese. Currently this figure stands at around 2,400. Most churches have now got their CRB system going, but those that have not must do so. New staff and volunteers who hold a Bishop’s licence (Clergy, Readers and Chaplains) are now processed through the same system.
Any leaders in the church whose office of trust gives them opportunities or the expectation that they might have regular or unsupervised contact with children should also be checked. This should include those who have regular and direct contact with children through mixed groups (see below).
3. What about mixed-age activities?
Mixed-age activities are those that involve adults and children working in a group together. In most cases this means choirs, bell-ringing teams, and possibly drama groups. In Southwell Diocese we do not insist that all adults in mixed-age groups should be checked. Our policy is to ensure that adults are checked who:
· Lead the activity (e.g. tower captain, organist/choirmaster)
· May lead if the leader is not present (e.g. assistant leader)
· May tutor children in small groups or individually
4. What check does CRB do?
The Criminal Records Bureau checks the applicant’s identity details first. It then checks lists held by the Police, Department for Education and Skills, and Department of Health. In addition an Enhanced Disclosure could contain ‘soft’ information about warnings, suspicions, investigations and unproven allegations.
There are two levels of check: Standard and Enhanced. The countersignatory at the Diocese (usually Nick Harding) will decide which check is most appropriate to which position, following the strict guidelines within the CRB Code of Practice. It is an offence for the Diocese to apply for a clearance at the wrong level, or for someone who does not fit the descriptions given in 2. and 3. above.
Enhanced CRB Disclosure.
All people who have regular, unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults will have the Enhanced check. This would include children’s and youth group workers and helpers.
Standard CRB Disclosure.
Those who have regular contact with children and young people through mixed groups (bell-ringers, choir, etc), and people who have positions of responsibility and trust where contact with children is possible will in most cases have the Standard check.
5. Do I need to be checked more than once for different organisations?
Yes. Portability of Disclosures is no longer acceptable. In most cases it is simply easier and quicker to apply for another full CRB Disclosure.
6. Does this replace the revised ‘Children and Young People First’ policy?
No! Most churches have adopted the Diocesan Policy or have a policy of their own based on the Diocesan policy ‘Children and Young People First’, a blue file revised in July 2004. It is expected that all churches will continue to follow the policy guidelines for appointing workers by meeting with them, taking up references to their suitability, and so on. The CRB check fills the loophole of providing each person with a thorough check on their past. It is most important that the CRB check is seen as an addition to the current process rather than a replacement for it.
7. What happens once the check is made?
The information comes back to the individual applicant and the Lead Countersignatory (Nick Harding). Most disclosures will be clear, and that information will be sent to the church in order for records to be kept by the church.
Disclosures that are ‘unclear’ may contain information about cautions, offences, warnings, reprimands and may include information from the local police about non-conviction matters, which may be child protection concerns. If this happens the Disclosure is sent directly to The Diocesan Child Protection Co-ordinator who will work with a team following strict criteria along with the Diocesan Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders. Details of this process and the factors which are taken into account while making an assessment of the individual’s suitability will be made available to the incumbent or other relevant person only when a risk assessment is being undertaken. This process is identical for clergy and laity.
8. How long does it take?
The CRB are currently taking around 2 weeks to do a check if the form was filled in using black ink, and has been thoroughly checked before being sent to Pat McNish at the Diocese. Incorrectly filled in forms take much longer, and cause a great deal of unnecessary additional work. The whole process usually takes around 3 weeks.
9. How much does it cost?
A CRB check is free for all volunteers who work with children and young people. For paid staff the check now costs £33 which is initially paid by the Diocese who will invoice churches once the check has come through. Other organisations and denominations are charging for every CRB check to cover the costs of central administration and postage as well as social work intervention when necessary. In Southwell Diocese we are currently providing all the back-up and administration free of charge.
10. Who do I contact?
For CRB Forms and to check the progress of applications:
Pat McNish (01636 817225) patcrb@southwell.anglican.org
For more information and queries:
Nick Harding (01636 817234) nick@southwell.anglican.org
For specific concerns, and issues about individuals:
Deirdre Offord (0115 960 3010)
11. How long does a CRB check last?
The CRB Disclosure comes to the individual in the form of a certificate which belongs to them. Within the Diocese we have decided that the CRB check lasts 3 years. Those who are processed by the Diocese will receive a reminder after 2 years and 9 months, and will then need to submit a new full application. Some people in the Diocese are now due to have their CRB renewed, and their reminder and new form will be sent to the address on the original application. If you know of addresses that have changed please notify Pat McNish.
12. What is the complete process?
This is the system that will be followed:
· CRB forms for all your children’s/youth workers requested from Pat McNish (01636 817225)
· Form completed in black by the applicant and identity validator (Incumbent or, in interregnum, Church Warden) and checked carefully
· Form sent to Pat McNish (CRB) at Dunham House, Westgate, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0JL.
· Form checked, countersigned, the level set (Standard or Enhanced), and sent to CRB
· Check returned from CRB. If clear: Incumbent informed, process completed.
If not clear: Family Care informed (see above)
13. What records does the church keep?
The church needs to keep a list of all applications sent to the Diocese, and check those against confirmation that the Clearance has been returned from CRB. About 8% of applications are lost in the post or lost by CRB themselves, and therefore it is very important that the church keeps a record of confirmations received as well as applications sent in.
If you have heard nothing after 6 weeks of sending in an application please contact Pat McNish who will pursue the matter with CRB on behalf of the church. The Diocese is not able to comprehensively check and chase up applications if they are not brought to our attention.
14. CRB checks for those working with vulnerable adults
There have been a number of enquiries about those who work with vulnerable adults. The CRB criteria of what constitutes a ‘vulnerable adult’ is very narrow, and excludes most people who are in contact with the church. The Church of England CRB Working Party is making representations and is in discussion with both the Home Office and CRB to seek further clarification. Due to the current lack of clarity the Diocese will not be processing clearances for those who work with vulnerable adults in most cases. However, it is very important that we hear directly from the following:
· Paid church-based pastoral workers
· Other paid laity who work with adults who the church considers to be ‘vulnerable’
· Key Volunteers who do significant work with such adults
If your church has any of the above please ask the person to contact Nick Harding directly as soon as possible.
As it is not currently open to us to do checks on most pastoral workers, be they volunteers or staff, it therefore remains very important that all such people working in the name of the church receive careful selection, oversight and management
NH 1/05 |
