Protection Of Vulnerable Clients

Overview

• An Introduction to CRB checks - VE Information Sheet
• When To Get a CRB Check - VE Information Sheet

Articles

• Screening Volunteers - VE Information Sheet
• Independent Safeguarding Authority Briefing - VE Information Sheet
• Recruiting ex-offenders - VE Information Sheet
• Who Is Allowed To Volunteer? - VE Information Sheet
• Apart From Police Checks, What Other Steps Can We Take To Safeguard Our Clients? - VE article
• The New Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act - Volunteering magazine

Examples

• Example Child Protection Policy - Love for Life (PDF)
• Example Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy - Southampton Voluntary Services (PDF)
• Sample Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders - Criminal Records Bureau (external link)
• Sample Statement to give to volunteer enquirers/applicants - Nacro and VE (PDF, page 16 of booklet)

Links

• Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) website, contains practical information on the disclosure process
  ww.crb.gov.uk

Some quick links to the CRB website:
- Database for finding an umbrella body
- Guidance on "portability" (re-using a check)
- How to check overseas criminal records
- Using the CRB's Code of Practice
- Drafting a policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders
- CRB's resource library of 'useful guidance notes'
- New video guide to applying for CRB checks: "CRB the movie"

Useful documents on external websites

• New Vetting and Barring Scheme
  A new scheme will be phased in from 2008. It will reform and extend the current vetting processes managed by the CRB.
  - Read the policy briefing pack, background information and set of Frequently Asked Questions
  - Book a place on an Independent Safeguarding Authority Information Briefing (hosted by the Department for Children, Schools and Families)
• Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education
  New guidance published by the Department of Education and Skills. Includes useful guidance on recruiting and working with volunteers, a recruitment flowchart and interesting case studies on which volunteer roles might require a CRB check.
  Read the new Safeguarding Children guidance on the Every Child Matters website

Other relevant websites

• NACRO is a crime reduction charity which works to support ex-offenders and deprived communities. They can advise on issues related to taking on ex-offenders as volunteers.
  http://www.nacro.org.uk/
• National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
  www.nspcc.org.uk
• NSPCC Inform site, containing resources on child protection
  www.nspcc.org.uk/inform
• Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), a partnership between the NSPCC and national sports bodies which works to support sports organisations working with children.
  http://www.thecpsu.org.uk/
• Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), regulates care providers under the Care Standards Act
  http://www.csci.org.uk/

Publications

Free publications

• Involving Ex-offenders in Volunteering - Volunteering England and Nacro
• Criminal Records Bureau Checks: guidance for volunteering - Office of the Third Sector (Cabinet Office) (external link)

Priced publications

• Selecting Volunteers: a mini guide - Volunteering England
• Safe Involvement of Volunteers with Vulnerable Clients: a mini guide - Volunteering England
• Volunteers and Mental Health Befriending - Volunteering England
• Safe and Alert: good practice advice on volunteers working with vulnerable clients - Volunteering England
• Volunteers and the Law- Volunteering England

Share your experiences!

The Good Practice Bank is growing steadily as more information is added to it. An important feature of the Bank is allowing users to share their documents with other volunteering organisations. We are particularly interested in receiving example policies or documents that you are happy to share with others. If we use your contribution, you could win a book on volunteering from our regular prize draw.

• If your organisation has an example to contribute, please use our simple form to submit it.

• Or, please send us an email or telephone 0800 028 3304 (phone and textphone)