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Volunteers welcome CRB checks to protect the vulnerable

07 January 2009

The myth that volunteers are put off by Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks has been destroyed by research which shows nine out of ten people are in favour of them.

The research published today also shows 91 per cent support checks for anyone working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults.
 
The research found:

• nine out of ten people say anyone working or volunteering with vulnerable groups should be checked;
• more than 70 per cent think the CRB helps protect the vulnerable; and
• three out of four people are more likely to use a business if staff have been CRB checked.

Since 2002, the CRB has helped organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors identify those who may be unsuitable to work with the vulnerable.
 
It has issued more than 18 million checks and prevented more than 80,000 unsuitable people working with children and vulnerable adults.
 
Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said:
 
“This research clearly destroys the myth that people are put off volunteering by CRB checks. Most people are only too willing to be checked and understand it protects children and vulnerable adults.
 
“I am pleased that the public believes the CRB is playing a valuable role protecting these vulnerable groups.”
 
The CRB understands the vital role played by volunteers with checks carried out free of charge for these groups. These checks represent around 20 per cent of the 3.5 million checks processed annually, saving voluntary organisations millions of pounds.
 
Commenting on the findings, Barnardo’s Chief Executive Martin Narey, said:
 
“Barnardo’s believes CRB checks do not encourage a culture of fear and suspicion of all strangers, but instead bring peace of mind for parents and carers who place children in the care of others.
 
“While CRB checks may never offer absolute safety for children and vulnerable adults, they enable organisations to make an informed decision based on past convictions.
 
“It is essential that we continue to offer vulnerable adults and young people as much protection as possible.”
 
Matt Mills, 30, who has been volunteering with the Scouts since he was 18 and who is currently Deputy County Commissioner for Essex, the UK’s largest Scout County, said:
 
“These findings support what we have known for some time: Criminal Records Bureau checks are an accepted part of volunteering and do not restrict recruitment. Volunteers just accept them as a part of the volunteering process.
 
He added:
 
“We have over 90,000 volunteer appointments and a further 100,000 occasional helpers. The number of adults working in the Movement is growing. Other factors such as demands placed upon them by modern working patterns are more likely to stop young adults volunteering.
 
“We can attract more adults by explaining the benefits that adults can get from undertaking voluntary work such as skills development and developing skills employers’ value.”
 
Denise King, Chief Executive of Girlguiding UK, said:
 
“Parents trust our organisation because we have a sound recruitment process which includes CRB checks. The checks are completely necessary for the safety of our young members and volunteers recognise this.
 
“CRB checks have had no discernible impact on volunteer recruitment; we have around 100,000 adult volunteers and supporters, and last year the number increased by over 1,000.
 
“The changing face of society and women's roles, with more women working full time, is a major factor in recruiting volunteers, which is why we are promoting flexible ways volunteering." 
 
Jan Cosgrove, National Secretary of children’s charity Fair Play for children, said:
 
“Fair Play knows the importance of CRB checks. We know of one man convicted of nine cases of child abuse and who had almost certainly abused many more, that was stopped from working with children following a check. This man was found in a group not using CRB checks three months after he was released from prison.
 
“It’s increasingly fashionable to attack CRB checks as an example of red tape. No system is perfect, but who would want someone with convictions for sexual abuse looking after their child?

“The system here is almost certainly the best in the world, and the new Vetting and Barring Scheme will make it even better at helping protect our children from genuine danger. “