 | ||||||
|
 |
|
Diocese of Southwell and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Child Protection BRIEFING PAPER 4/08 There are some forthcoming changes to the Criminal Records Bureau processes - see 13-15 for details. Please read this paper through to ensure that you are fully aware of the processes. Thank you! Nick Harding 1. Who does CRB in the Diocese? Nick Harding (Children’s Ministry Adviser) is the Policy leader for the Diocese, and oversees the CRB work we do. Nick’s direct number is 01636 817234. Pat McNish should always be contacted in the first instance for forms, problems, queries, and sent forms when they are filled in and ready to be processed. She is usually in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week, and can be contacted on 01636 817225, or patcrb@southwell.anglican.org 2. Who needs to be checked? We process CRB applications for all volunteers and staff involved in youth and children’s work throughout the Diocese. Currently this figure stands at around 4,000. 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 processed on appointment. All people working in churches as leaders and helpers of children’s and youth work, as well as choir leaders, bell-ringing teams and anyone else who could easily be in charge of groups of young people under 18 should be checked through CRB. Any other leaders in the church whose office of trust gives them opportunities or the expectation that they might have regular or unsupervised contact with children will also need to be checked. This includes all churchwardens and those who have regular and direct contact with children through mixed groups. People working frequently with Vulnerable Adults need to discuss their work with Nick Harding or Pat McNish before we can process a CRB clearance for them. This is due to the Criminal Records Bureau’s specific definition or what constitutes a ‘vulnerable adult’. 3. What check does CRB do? The Criminal Records Bureau checks the applicant’s identity details first. It then checks lists held by the Police and Government departments connected with education and 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. 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. 4. Do I need to be checked more than once for different organisations? Yes. In all cases it is simply easier and quicker to apply for another full CRB Disclosure. This situation is likely to change with the introduction of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (see 13) 5. Does this replace the ‘Children and Young People First’ policy? No! Most churches have the Diocesan Policy and a policy of their own based on the Diocesan policy ‘Children and Young People First’, a blue file, and should only be working from the 2004 edition. All churches should 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. 6. What happens once the check is made? The information comes back to the individual applicant and the Countersignatory (Nick Harding). Most disclosures will be clear, and that information will be sent to the church in order for records to be kept. Disclosures that are ‘unclear’ may contain information about cautions, offences, warnings, reprimands, and information from the local police about non-conviction matters and child protection concerns. If this happens the Disclosure is sent directly to The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (Barbara Selley) who works with a team following strict criteria and following 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 can be made available on request to the incumbent or other relevant person only when a risk assessment is being undertaken. 7. How long does it take? The CRB is 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 the CRB Administrator, Pat McNish at the Diocese. The whole process takes around 3 weeks. If you are waiting for a slow Disclosure please contact Pat McNish after 2 months. 8. How much does it cost? A CRB check is free for all volunteers who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. For paid staff the check now costs £36 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 and Nottingham Diocese we are currently providing all the back-up and administration free of charge. 9. Who do I contact? For all enquiries regarding CRB forms, to ask for more forms, and with queries contact Pat McNish: 01636 817225, patcrb@southwell.anglican.org For more complex enquiries contact Nick Harding: 01636 817234 For specific concerns and issues about individuals: Barbara Selley (0115 960 3010) 10. 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. 11. What is the complete process? This is the system that will be followed: Ÿ CRB forms for all your children’s/youth workers and others are requested from Pat McNish (01636 817225) Ÿ Form completed in black by the applicant and identity validator at the church and checked carefully. Ÿ Form sent to Pat McNish (CRB) at Dunham House, Westgate, Southwell, Ÿ Form checked, countersigned, the level set (Standard or Enhanced), and sent to CRB Ÿ Check returned from CRB. If clear: church or incumbent informed, process completed. If not clear: Family Care informed (see above) 12. Does this really mean everyone? Yes, it is required that all those who work with children and young people in your church or have regular access to them are checked, regardless of how long they have been working, or how trustworthy they are. This is now an expectation for all organisations involved with children and young people. The policy and practice of the Diocese of Southwell and 13. What is the ‘Independent Safeguarding Authority’? (ISA) The Government has set up a new agency which will work alongside the CRB. In due course all people working with children, young people and vulnerable adults will be required by law to register with the ISA for a one-off fee of £64. It is understood that volunteer registrations will be free. The new system is going to be complex, and will be rolled out nationally from October 2008. Pat McNish (CRB Admin), Nick Harding (Children’s Ministry Adviser) and Barbara Selley (Safeguarding Officer) have already attended meetings and briefing sessions about the ISA. At some point the Diocese will be required to implement the new system and register all workers (staff and volunteers) with the ISA. We will keep all churches and individuals fully informed of the changes as and when they happen. 14. What is a ‘Safeguarding Officer’? This is a revised title for the role of Barbara Selley, and better represents her work safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults through case work, policy work, and training. The term ‘safeguarding’ is widely used and accepted in statutory and voluntary sector agencies, and this change of title brings the Diocese terminology in line. 15. Does our church need a Child Protection policy? Yes. All churches should have a Child Protection Policy in line with the Diocese policy (Children and Young People First) 2004 revision. The policy should be revised regularly, and can be sent for checking and comment to Barbara Selley. A copy of the Child Protection policy once it is adopted by the PCC should always be sent to Barbara at Family Care, Warren House,
|
