Press Releases

The following was published in

10 January 2007

CRB refuses extra checks
 

A regional Citizens Advice Bureau has protested at the rules
restricting who can be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
Cambridge CAB wanted criminal record checks for all its staff, from
receptionists to trustees, because they might all have dealings with
vulnerable people, or with data relating to vulnerable people.
 

"We met resistance from the CRB because it flatly refuses to check
anyone who does not work directly with clients," said Rachel Talbot,
chief executive of Cambridge CAB.
 

The charity has not been able to obtain checks for many staff, including
IT workers and administrators who have access to sensitive personal
information about vulnerable clients.
 

The CRB said its hands were tied by the legislation guiding its
work.
 

A spokesman said: "The Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974 sets out who can and cannot be checked. Obtaining a
check on someone not covered by this Act would be illegal."
 

The spokesman added that the number and type of people who can be
checked would be expanded in 2008, when a new vetting and barring
scheme, established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006,
will come into effect.