Coventry Diocese - Admin - Safeguarding

Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Update

On 11th February 2011 the Government published the Protection of Freedoms Bill and the reviews into the Independent Safeguarding Authority Vetting and Barring Scheme and the Criminal Records Bureau.

The following recommendations were made:-

ISA and CRB will merge and will form a new body which will provide a proportionate barring and criminal records checking service
a large reduction in the number of positions requiring checks
portability of checks between jobs
an end to the requirement that those working or volunteering with vulnerable groups should register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme
stopping employers knowingly requesting CRB checks on individuals who are not entitled to them
the introduction of new penalties for individuals who knowingly request CRB checks on individuals who are not entitled to them.

Changes are not likely to happen quickly - the advice from the National Safeguarding Adviser is that we must continue to comply with the current interim policy set out in the House of Bishops' Guidance to Safer Recruitment 2010.

For a copy of the House of Bishops Safeguarding Guidelines to Safer Recruitment 2010 and the Diocesan CRB check guidelines please click on the link below:-

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Checks

At the present time CRB checks are continuing to be renewed every 5 years, for information on which roles require CRB checks please click on the link above.

CRB forms can be obtained from Carol Clarke Tel: 024 76521 345 or e-mail carol.clarke@covcofe.org

Completed forms and documentary evidence sheets must be returned to Carol Clarke, Cathedral and Diocesan Offices, 1 Hill Top, Coventry. CV1 5AB.

Please do not send completed forms to the Leicester address at the top of the form, they will only be sent back to Coventry and this will delay your application being processed.

CRB checks are free of charge for volunteers, however there is a charge for those in paid positions, at the present time the charge is £44-00. It is the responsibility of the parish to pay the cost of the CRB check for paid parish posts - the costs of CRB checks for clergy are paid by the Diocese.

If you are sending in a CRB form for someone in a paid parish post please include a cheque for the correct amount made payable to Coventry DBF.

If you are checking evidence of identity for a CRB Disclosure Application please complete a CRB Disclosure Documentary Evidence Sheet and enclose it with the application form. A copy of the CRB Disclosure Documentary Evidence Sheet, a continuation sheet and guidance for applicants and those checking identity documents can be downloaded by clicking the links below:-

PLEASE RETURN ALL COMPLETED CRB DISCLOSURE APPLICATION FORMS AND THE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE SHEET TO: CAROL CLARKE, CATHEDRAL & DIOCESAN OFFICES, 1 HILL TOP, COVENTRY. CV1 5AB

Please note that forms sent to the Leicester address at the top of the form will be returned to Coventry and this will result in a delay in your form being processed.