Ask the Expert: Criminal Record Bureau checks
Tracie Trimmer-Platman
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
About 300 young people wanted to take part in our programme over Easter, and we had 30 volunteers offer their time. Because we did not have time to get their Criminal Record Bureau checks done, not all of the volunteers could help and not all of the children could join in. One young girl who could not attend ended up getting run over and she is still in hospital. I don't know why people don't realise the stupidity of the system. Surely there must be a short cut?
It is extremely unfortunate that the girl who wasn’t able to take part in the Easter programme was run over but youth workers have to accept that such incidents can happen and they can’t be held responsible for young people outside of their care.
However, you would have been very much at fault had you taken the full 300 young people with too few volunteers. Whether we like it or not, there is no short-cut to the current Criminal Record Bureau checks, although there are plans to make changes that will make things more accessible and practical.
We can only hope that new legislation will allow for more relevant and forward-thinking procedures, which will neither hinder good practice nor prevent youth or adult participation.
Tracie Trimmer-Platman is senior lecturer in youth and community work at the University of East London. Email your workplace dilemmas to asktheexpertywn@hotmail.co.uk
