Lots of organisations don't CRB check all volunteers. Charities and others that do not deal to any significant extent with children and vulnerable adults should not CRB their volunteers and the CRB / ISA people fully support this. They do not want to spend time with vulnerable people the checks are a waste of time and money and an unwarranted intrusion into the volunteer's personal life.
You may CRB people for other reasons, such as for volunteers who are taking on financial responsibilities, but the point to be considered is: Is there a need for a check? Some organisations CRB check everyone and do nothing else, which doesn't seem such a good idea. As volunteer managers, there are many other ways we can use for selecting suitable people and supporting and monitoring them. Interviews, references and trial periods are common examples. I would suggest we look to the range of tools available and select the ones that will get the job done, rather than expecting criminal records checks to do the job for us.
Just my view of course and, hopefully, you will get others to balance my thoughts!
To CRB or not to CRB...
Lots of organisations don't CRB check all volunteers. Charities and others that do not deal to any significant extent with children and vulnerable adults should not CRB their volunteers and the CRB / ISA people fully support this. They do not want to spend time with vulnerable people the checks are a waste of time and money and an unwarranted intrusion into the volunteer's personal life.
You may CRB people for other reasons, such as for volunteers who are taking on financial responsibilities, but the point to be considered is: Is there a need for a check? Some organisations CRB check everyone and do nothing else, which doesn't seem such a good idea. As volunteer managers, there are many other ways we can use for selecting suitable people and supporting and monitoring them. Interviews, references and trial periods are common examples. I would suggest we look to the range of tools available and select the ones that will get the job done, rather than expecting criminal records checks to do the job for us.
Just my view of course and, hopefully, you will get others to balance my thoughts!
Best regards
Steve
Steve Gee
Volunteer Development Manager
Cancer Research UK