One cheer for the Criminal Records Bureau, which has become self-funding after several years (YPN, 7-13 February, p3). Is it reasonable to ask if this has anything to do with the multiple checks required for anyone working with more than one group? So far the record is, to my knowledge, seven checks for one person in one year.
Not only is this a ludicrous waste of time and money, but it also creates yet another barrier for some types of volunteering. Efforts have been made to create a pool of specialists who can work with groups that don't have these skills in-house. This tactic fits with strategies such as Every Child Matters and the Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom, but is being nullified by a requirement, in some cases, for a check each time a person is prepared to offer a day or two of their time.
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