Safer Recruitment and CRB
Safer Recruitment: guidelines for all who work on behalf of the Church of England
The 'Safer Recruitment' guidelines set out the statutory requirements and recognised good practice in vetting employees and volunteers in the context of safer recruitment for all those whose responsibilities do or may include working with children and vulnerable adults.
They should be taken as a guide by all church bodies and occupational groups who do not already have a policy of their own. Those who do should review their policy in the light of this guidance to ensure it conforms to current standards.
These guidelines are being produced as an interim web resource only, pending resolution by the new Government of the Vetting and Barring scheme regulations.
Just Employment
The Dioceses of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester have partnered with the Church Urban Fund to produce a guide to employing people and working with volunteers. The guide, Just Employment, contains information on many aspects of employment: recruitment; documentation; pay and reward; performance management; dismissal and redundancy; policies, volunteers and health & safety. It also includes a section giving useful contact details.
There are numerous templates which accompany the guide: a suggested Contract of Employment; various policies; template letters; job description and person specification. The guide is available to download here.
For further information or advice, contact Alan Brown, Human Resources Adviser.
CRB checks
CRB checks remain a vital part of our procedures in seeking to safeguard children and young people. A CRB check (called a ‘disclosure’) is required for any person regularly caring for, training, supervising or in sole charge of children and/or young people under the age of 18.
Further details about the CRB and disclosures can be found on pages 17-18 of Safeguarding Children, the Diocesan Handbook of Policy and Procedures 2009, and pages 20–24 of the ‘Safer Recruitment’ guidelines (see link above).
Completing a CRB form acurately
The process for obtaining a CRB disclosure is slowed down considerably if the application form is filled out incorrectly. For guidance on filling out the application form correctly, download:
Guide to filling in the CRB form
If you need any further advice, please contact Lesley Whittaker. Lesley can also supply CRB forms for you.
For further information and guidance visit the CRB website: www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/about_crb.aspx
