Criminal Record Checks –even if you don’t work with children...

Personnel Checks, a Registered Umbrella Body for the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) based in Lancashire is seeing a considerable increase in employers, contractors and self employed applicants enquiring about disclosures and registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) for their employees.

Many applications processed are from companies who just want peace of mind to confirm that the key appointments, they are making for staff in positions of responsibility are security checked and it’s not just organisations who are dealing with children and vulnerable adults but across all sectors of business.

Michelle Mellor, lead signatory for local Registered CRB Umbrella Body, Personnel Checks said,

“Many self employed applicants requesting criminal record checks are keen to demonstrate their professionalism and promote best practice to their clients, they are currently presenting a basic disclosure on site or place of work and will also become registered with the ISA in July next year. There has been an increase in employers applying for criminal record checks on all employees particularly personnel in positions of responsibility, for example, cash handlers and key holders. There does seem to be an amount of confusion regarding the different levels of disclosure and who is entitled to apply. Personnel Checks are more than happy to help and to advise on these key changes.

With the sudden increase in criminal record applications, we take our role as a registered umbrella body extremely seriously; Criminal record checks are there to ensure the safety and security of all. They help make the final employment decision and enhance the recruitment process which can only be a good thing. Over 3.65 million checks were issued last year alone and over the five years the Criminal Record Bureau has been conducting checks, 98,000 applicants were found to be unsuitable for the posts they applied for. These criminal record checks promote best practice within all sectors of business as well as ensuring that the safety and security of everyone is paramount , just one unsuitable application is too many for any organisation whatever their business, but especially where children and vulnerable adults are concerned; ”

The Chairman of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA):

“There are an estimated 11.3 million people already facing a background check to work with children, the scope of the government database could increase significantly because companies would fear losing business if they did not have their employees vetted. Private home helps, piano tutors, tradesmen and the self employed may do so just to get the work as their rivals sought to advertise the fact that their staff have already been cleared to work with children or vulnerable adults, there may be some categories who don’t have to register but who might decide there is a commercial advantage in registering”
(Sir Roger Singleton, chairman of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) commented in the Daily Telegraph 27th October 2009)