5th April 2012 9:00
By Blue Tutors
There was a public outcry recently when it was suggested that we should relax the requirement for teaching assistants and similar staff to apply for a CRB Disclosure before being allowed to work with children. The idea was that, if a teacher is present, then children are not at risk from other adults, and that it would reduce massively the administration for schools and other organisations who have to register with the Criminal Records Bureau.
Of course, more than ever, we are a society frightened about the dangers to us and our children. It’s difficult to believe that there are so many more dangers than, say, 50 years ago, and many people would argue that the increased fear has been created by the government to increase control. However, it’s difficult to argue against someone who just wants to protect their family, and the strong wave of opinion is that a little more admin is well worth the added protection that a CRB Disclosure provides.
The trouble is that this is the argument which is protecting the Criminal Records Bureau. They have no interest in changing the current system because the extortionate amount of administration involved gives some justification for the fee (currently £45 for an enhanced disclosure). The fee is even more for an organisation unable to register with the CRB (if fewer than 100 applications will be applied for in a year), because then the organisation must apply for a disclosure via a third party who will charge an additional fee.
Applicants must complete the 4 page form(sometimes 6-7 pages if additional information is required), and produce 3-5 identity documents. These documents have to be verified by someone registered with the CRB, photocopied, and the registered person has to complete a declaration and post everything to the CRB. It can then take up to 6 weeks before the applicant receives anything back.
If the amount of administration involved and cost of CRB Disclosures was as well known as the agency itself, then there might be a little more public understanding when someone questions the necessity of CRB Disclosures. The truth is that if the government were to invest some time and money to create an online system which was easy for potential employers to check, then everything could be done at a fraction of the existing cost and time. Of course, this would mean taking care to ensure that someone’s online details were secure, something the government doesn’t have a glowing track record of doing.
If you’re a parent reading this then we’ll reiterate what we always say about CRB Disclosures: whether you believe that they are important or not, please follow good child protection practice, and don’t assume that a piece of paper means that someone is ethical.