CRB Checks

Prompted by Pete's request for more forms, and another trickle coming through since Christmas, I thought it would be timely to announce that I would like to have another purge on getting forms completed.

We have done very well last year in getting the Enhanced Disclosures for most people involved in Sunday School, Dynamite and the Bus Project.

Seeing as I have a big white screen to type on, it is prudent to re-cap on why we are doing this.

1.  It forms an essential part of our Child Protection Policy.

2.  It had implications in obtaining a grant towards our Youth Work.

3.  It shows integrity and transparency in the community.

4.  It gives ourselves as parents, reassurance.

And to dispel the Urban Myths:

1.  We cannot overcome the bureacracy - if I was a Civil Servant, I would create a system which allowed one blanket disclosure to all agencies, rather than individual clearances.  I know it's a nuisance especially if you have (like me, 3 valid CRB forms), but the onus is on the individual body to ensure a worker is deemed fit, i.e., New Life Church, has to be confident.  So now't we can do.  Finito.

2.  There is no mininum age restriction, so teenagers involved in Sunday School and Dynamite Youth Group, should complete forms please.

3.  It wouldn't happen to us.  I'm afraid that Jo Ibbott and I know from our own contacts (in 2 Churches on the Waterside) only too well how awfully wrong it can go.

I would like to try and crack this nut by the end of March.  After April, I shall be handing over the reins (Dave Knight is the other NLC Recruiter), but would like this to be a minimum.

I appreciate your co-operation and assistance in this regard, and particularly would appreciate you approaching me, rather than vice versa.

With thanks for your attention!!

Michèle