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Friday Jun 27, 2008

Do CRB checks deter volunteers?

Yesterday think-tank Civitas published a report that said adults are afraid to interact with children for fear of being labelled as paedophiles.

The Home Office rebuffed the report saying that there was no evidence that vetting deterred volunteers, and that CRBs had stopped 20,000 unsuitable people from gaining work with vulnerable individuals.

As someone who's been involved in recruiting volunteer youth leaders over a number of years, I think Civitas have a point; and the Home Office is being naïve if it thinks that requiring people to undertake a CRB doesn't deter otherwise suitable individuals.

It's also not exactly true to say there is no evidence – NCH and Chance UK did some research last year and discovered that 1 in 5 people from BME communities are deterred by the CRB. Children's Commissioner Sir Al Aynsley-Green also told the Home Affairs select committee that potential leaders are being put off by criminal record checks.

Requiring someone to disclose their criminal past is a big ask for any organisation; especially right at the start of the process of joining. By the age of 35, 1 in 5 adults have been convicted for a crime, and of those 84% will be male. That means that nearly 1 in 3 men in the UK aged 35+ have been prosecuted or cautioned for breaking the law (Source: Hansard: Col 139, 10 Dec 1996). Most of those offences are minor and insignificant when it comes to checking the suitability of the individual; but they are still declaring something that they may have not told partners, children or even their employers.

My experience of working with volunteers who have previous convictions – albeit for petty theft and benefit fraud – is that they feel highly ashamed of having this information made available. And this is for the ones who are prepared to undertake a CRB. Others simply decide not to apply, withdraw their application, or most likely simply no longer return calls when they are asked to declare their criminal records.

20,000 unsuitable people being stopped from working with vulnerable individuals is a good thing. But at the same time there has been a significant drop in the number of adults prepared to volunteer to work with young people. This can lead to young people having less structured out-of-school activities and ultimately to them spending more time on the streets where there are none of the safeguards that a youth group has.

It's difficult to see a solution, because I'm certainly not advocating removing the requirement for CRBs as part of the recruitment of youth leaders. But continuing to deny it is a problem is not going to solve the problem of a significant lack of volunteer youth leaders in this country.

Posted by Olly Benson ( 8:59 AM ) Link to this post Comments[13]

Comments:

I'm not convinced that CRB checks are the real issue in relation to the stigma that men face when working with young people - I think theres a much broader cultural and society issue to overcome here along. I first started youth work as a 23 year old based on an estate and it wasn't uncommon to be called a paedophile - very often by young people, sometimes in malice but most often in jest - albeit never amusing.

I think the CRB process is hugely improved and I gather is being updated again at the moment. My own experience of offering to volunteer for a youth service a few years ago when I had recently moved to Chester was that they simply didn't phone back - despite knowing I had moved there to set up a national youth programme! (well they did a year later by which time I wasn't interested). It shouldn't be too difficult to reassure people what CRB checks are and aren't and that the information received is confidential.

I think theres been a trend in recent years to professionalise work with young people to the extent that its offputting to volunteers and for the few that do volunteer they enter a world of snobbery about qualifications, pay scales, jargon & so on. In my eyes volunteers are one of the most important assets youth groups can have and its the role of the paid staff to make their experience as comfortable and painless as possible - sadly thats not always what I see.

Posted by Mike Amos-Simpson on June 27, 2008 at 01:12 PM GMT+00:00 #

I don't know if it makes much diffence, after all it might just mean I haven't been caught yet! It defentely slows things down, having to wait for the form to be processed before you're allowed to volunteer.

Posted by julia Fryer on July 17, 2008 at 12:51 PM GMT+00:00 #

I am an organisation the puts on multi sports for adults with MLD SLD and physical disabilities, I have terrible problems trying to recruit new volunteers, It is down to the fact that many questions have to be asked regarding their past that puts 80% of people off, and not willing to be CRB checked, any minor conviction from the past dose not decied wether or not you are suitable, it's if you are not confident to take on that role as a volunteer, then it's not for you. Some people have been accused and convited even coaches that have been in the trade for years, have fallen foul and been accused, so it's no wonder volunteers are scarce. It is how you approach that person and their dedication to help, that will become a valued volunteer, I have a few reliable and dedicated volunteers and all CRB checked including myself and my husband, maybe it will be a lesson for the young ones of today, as to how it will affect the out come of what job they can or can't do as they too become adults.

Posted by Joan Cummings on July 17, 2008 at 01:08 PM GMT+00:00 #

I wonder if a solution would be that CRB checks only disclose relevent information, so if someone has committed a crime such as petty theft or benefit fraud it would not be shown - only information which might prevent the volunteer working with children should be made available.
Unfortuntly many people make mistakes and they are often minro but still a huge embaressment, the checks may be confidential but the people that read them to decide your suitability may be people who you will then see every time you volunteer for that organisationa and people are often too ashamed to have to face these people who know for example that when they were 19 they got arrested for shoplifting - even say 20 years on this is still something they will feel ashamed about and will have tried to put behind them and by volunteering it will all be dragged back up.

Posted by Anon on July 17, 2008 at 01:11 PM GMT+00:00 #

It isn't the CRB check as such that deters us, but the repetition. My daughter is thinking of a career in youth work and has volunteered for three different organisations over the summer period. She is dyslexic and finds any kind of form very difficult, let alone having to do it three times...
And the other problem which many people have is the possibility of a false allegation. I know an ex-Scout leader who won't go back to youth volunteering because he would probably loose his current job if a malicious allegation was made against him, and people who won't get involved for fear of having their own young children taken into care as a result of a spiteful allegation. I agree with your first commentator about social stigma against men who are willing to work with young people, and about the professionalisation of many formerly simple voluntary jobs.

Posted by Jenny Foster on July 17, 2008 at 01:12 PM GMT+00:00 #

I think that it does. I am a 50 year old male who has thought about volunteering with my local fishing club on youth familiarisation days. I, and most others have stopped short of volunteering because of the CRB checks. The Home Office will say that they are a necessary precaution. Personally I find it an intrusion. Our country has become obsessed with child protection. I cannot help but feel that there are many more like me that whilst we have nothing to hide, don't want the hassle and feeling of mistrust all for the sake of a couple of hours showing young people how they might enjoy an hour or two on the river bank. If I were making it my career I might feel more generously about it.

Posted by Steve on July 17, 2008 at 02:22 PM GMT+00:00 #

It is not the check that is a pain .. its the fact that you need a seperate check for each organisation. Surely in this century we can have one joined up CRB check that is updated and valid for every use. The present situation borders on incompetence and does put off volunteers.

Posted by Pedros on July 17, 2008 at 02:46 PM GMT+00:00 #

I first came across this 5 years ago when applying to do
voluntary work with adults recovering from breakdowns.
I have a petty criminal record that is 30 years old & mentioned this before the check was done. I was encouraged to go ahead with it anyway only to be told
later on that it is "not our policy to take on people with
a criminal record" I have to presume that someone
had seen it & objected to one of the offences.
So not only do we have to put up with being put on the spot, we have to contend with people who believe they have the right to judge us!
It certainly put me off applying again.

Posted by B Boru on July 17, 2008 at 04:23 PM GMT+00:00 #

Having been through a CRB check I can see the sillyness in 'worrying' and being disuaded from volunteering, but I can also appreciate the concern of the unknown. Perhaps some simple guide and an example CRB form and completed certificate might help a LITTLE.

However, many organisations seem to be taking the 'pee' out of the system and using it to screen every volunteer irrespective of whether they interact with children and the vunerable.

The CRB check is only as good as the time it was completed, and only if offences or data are held on a person. A real issue is that the whole scenario behind the CRB process has made volunteers re-evaluate just what they are taking on when volunteering, we volunteer to do good, not to be a lamb to the slaughter and get some false accusation made against us with all the hassle that that brings.

ALSO: Noticed the number of roles that in detail are clearly paid work that the 'charitable business' owner simply won't pay someone to do...

Posted by Martin Davies on July 17, 2008 at 06:44 PM GMT+00:00 #

I agree with Pedro--a lot of money & time is being wasted doing repeated CRB checks on the same person for different posts.

Posted by 10.0.0.8 on July 17, 2008 at 07:44 PM GMT+00:00 #

if I go to jail for theft isnt the crime 'spent' after a period of time??? I found it very upsetting recently when I had to tell an organization I had been done for shoplifting a lipstick when I was 13, 32 yrs ago actually..it caused me a great deal of grief and I was very tempted to say no to the volunteering just because of the principle of it...its wrong in my case to be humiliated like this....next time though I really wont care so much about being judged by a complete stranger reading a few words on a piece of paper!!!!! Incidently I am volunteering so it did not put them off and I can understand it is a very delicate issue when dealing with people who have learning disabilities.

Posted by loraine on July 18, 2008 at 09:46 AM GMT+00:00 #

the voluntary organisations do the crb checks but they shouldnt believe everything the crb checks say,trust, the organisation should trust people,as they want the people that are disabled or the people that the volunteers are going to be working with to trust the volunteer,the organisation should trust the volunteers,it is a responsibility for the organisation and for the volunteers and for the people that are disabled,or whoever we are volunteering for its all about everybody helping everybody,people volunteer for different reasons.and people need help,we are all helping each other its the ability to build relationships.

Posted by clive hart on July 18, 2008 at 12:08 PM GMT+00:00 #

Just to say i do have a criminal record for theft,due to the fact that i was struggling financially and am a single mum to a now 16year ols son.However i know that is not an excuse for doing wrong!! I have and still am trying to change my life around for the better...I applied to work as a volunteer at a child contact centre(after much persuasion and encouragement from my son and local volunteer centre).I was put off the idea as i have a criminal record for theft,however i filled in an application,went to meet the supervisor,and sent off for my crb.I was honest with the supervisor from the beginning(but not proud to have to admit it),and was hoping i would be given a chance to move forward.My crb came through after a few weeks and i started at the contact centre.I attended a training session and have attended two afternoon sessions as a volunteer. I have recently received a letter from a manager of grassroots saying that he needs to come and see me to discuss my crb,and i must not attend the contact centre until further notice.I have no other offences other than a theft related charge,and am being made to feel like a mass murderer or paedophile.Do i not deserve a second chance?? All this hassle im now getting has knocked any confidence that i had out the window,and am definately put off applying to do anymore voluntary work.such a shame as i feel iv a lot to offer by being a volunteer. Im not impressed with so called management looking down their noses at me-they dont even know me and what the heck would they know about having to survive in this society?? Over the years ive been in care through no fault of my own-and considering iv had a really bad childhood and no support from any family,im the proud mum of a 16 year old son,and if i may say so myself have done a bloody good job bringing him up-just so sad when ive got a lot to offer to society. gutted and no confidence,jackie eccles 37

Posted by jackie eccles on July 18, 2008 at 04:24 PM GMT+00:00 #