Free criminal checks for workers

The checks are meant to protect children and vulnerable adults

A new unit which offers criminal record checks on people starting work for voluntary groups is being launched.

Wales Council for Voluntary Action has received funding from the Welsh assembly to set up the service after some organisations faced difficulties getting checks done.

There are only a limited number of registered checks bodies in Wales, and some charge up to £70 per check, beyond the means of smaller groups.

The unit, which will be based at Colwyn Bay in north Wales, will process applications by volunteers for free.

Voluntary organisations working with children or vulnerable adults need to ensure that staff and volunteers have had police checks, carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), completed in order for them to be able to work.

But groups can only access the CRB disclosure service either by becoming a registered body or by using the services of a CRB-registered umbrella body.

Many smaller organisations choose the latter option because they cannot meet the administrative responsibilities of registering themselves.

Grant

The WCVA's criminal records unit was set up after it raised concerns about the costs to voluntary groups in preparing and submitting disclosure applications to the CRB.

The assembly awarded a grant to the WCVA in March 2003 for it to set up the unit which will employ six staff.

WCVA president Glenys Kinnock MEP said: "The criminal records unit is providing an invaluable service to voluntary and community groups, large and small, throughout Wales.

"These organisations provide services at the cutting edge of social care, working with children, older people and disabled people, often in vulnerable positions.

"'m very pleased that the assembly is supporting the sector in providing this service."