CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU

SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

In order to help voluntary organisations in their recruitment of staff and volunteers, the Government has introduced a new Criminal Records Bureau through which 'Disclosures' - more complete checks on new volunteers and employees - can be sought on all new voluntary workers and employees. Disclosures must be applied for through registration with the Bureau. The CRB operates for England and Wales; in Scotland the work will be carried out by the Central Registered Body, and in the off-shore islands there will be other arrangements.

The Churches' Agency for Safeguarding has been set up in consultation with Churches Together in England by the Methodist Church. Working together in the Agency are

• the Baptist Union of Great Britain
• the Congregational Federation
• the Independent Methodist Churches
• the Methodist Church
• the Moravian Church>
• the Society of Friends
• the United Reformed Church and the
• Wesleyan Reform Union.

The Agency is able to serve member Churches in England, Scotland and Wales.

Its purpose is to support local churches, acting as an "umbrella body" to process Disclosures (police checks)
through the CRB in England and Wales and the Scottish Criminal Records Office in Scotland.

Contact the Agency:

• telephone (44)(0)20 7467 5216
• fax (44)(0)20 7846 7792
• email  cas[at]methodistchurch.org.uk
• website: www.churchsafe.org.uk

This information adds to the resources already provided in "GUIDELINES when taking or receiving children and young people on twinning visits", which I compiled in 1999 for the Kent Association of Twinning Organisations. I can send a copy to anyone who requests it. Contact details are on the home page.

For more information about Disclosure, see the websites www.crb.gov.uk or www.disclosure.gov.uk,
or ring the information line 0870 90 90 811.

It is easy to disregard the need to take steps to prevent situations in which people of malicious
intent can worm their way into working with young people. There are too many stories of
people who were widely trusted and yet have proved a danger to those in their care.
It's not worth the risk. For a little time and effort, the risks can be minimised.

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