Consultation on CRB checks of trustees of charities

On Wednesday 14th February for Charity Commission launched a consultation on its approach to Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for trustees of charities working with children or vulnerable adults.

Charity trustees have a duty of care to their beneficiaries which is particularly important for charities working with vulnerable beneficiries, and it is the responsibility of charity trustees to ensure that CRB checks are carried out. The Commission monitors charities and in June 2006 they introduced an interim policy for charities registering with them for the first time. They are now asking to see CRB disclosures for trustees before registering charities working with vulnerable beneficiaries.  The consultation document explains the policy on CRB checks both for existing charities and those registering for the first time.

The Commission is keen to ensure that their policy achieves the right balance between protecting vulnerable beneficiaries and not placing unnecessary burdens on charity trustees.

The consultation will be of particular interest to you if your charity;

• has workers, paid or voluntary, whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children;
• has workers, paid or viluntary, whose normal duties include work in institutions mainly or exclusively for children; or
• is concerned with the provision of care services to vulnerable adults and if the trustees in the course of their normal duties have access to vulnerable adults in receipt of those services.

Views are welcomed on the issues raised in the consultation document and are needed in writing or by email by 11th May 2007. The full consultation document which includes details of how to reply are attached below.