CRB trial and identity cards (by alaric)
On the day, we went through two exercises. For the first one, we tried out a new CRB checking system that will be introduced, but does not use an ID card.
The first part was starting the process. Currently, I do this by handing a prospective parent helper a CRB form to take home and fill in. Under the new system, I will have to sit down with the parent in front of an Internet-connected computer, log in with my own credentials, and enter their name, the number of their passport, the name of the role they're applying for, and what kind of CRB check we'd like.
The system then issues a number, which I write down and give to them, along with instructions on what to do next.
They then take this number home and, in their own time, go online to the CRB website, enter the number I have given them along with the usual biographical details (date of birth, current and past names and addresses, passport number, and so on).
Then they meet up with a 'countersignatory'. In my case, this is somebody within the Scout Association authorised to do this. The countersignatory also has an Internet-connected computer, where they find the record for the person applying, and do the more thorough checking of identity documents. The countersignatory (unlike myself in the first step) is trained in the anti-counterfeiting measures on passports and all that. The computer tells them about any discrepancies in biographical data entered, which they have to get the applicant to explain and confirm.
This is the equivalent of, under the current system, the countersignatory looking at their identity documents and signing the form, which they then take away and post off.
However, this time, the form is electronically submitted, and some time later, a letter will arrive from the CRB saying they think you're OK. This time, the letter has your photo on it, and your passport number, so that it's harder to get away with stealing somebody else's letter and pretending it's yours when you're actually a hardened murderer.
So what do I think of the process? Well, there's pros and cons. Firstly, currently I can just hand a paper form to helpers who come to me. We meet in a village hall, where I don't have any Internet access. A process that requires me to organise a time and place where I can be online with the parent will be a pain. I suggested that this step could also be accomplished by telephone, since only mildly personal information is involved.
It is nice to not have to give somebody a large daunting form - filling in the form online is more appealing than writing on paper with ink, since you can go back over it and check things before submitting; but some people, less familiar with computers, may not take well to doing it online.
My main concern was that the process seemed to involve less supporting documentation. When I did my CRB, I had to provide driving license and passport, not just passport.
But then we got onto the proposed system based around a national ID card...
Tue 26th Jun 2007 7:17 pm 
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By sarah, Wed 27th Jun 2007 @ 8:22 am
Oh Alaric you are lovely - you just made me cry cos I know you mean that, any child in your care is an extremely lucky child as far as I'm concerned.
By David Cantrell, Wed 27th Jun 2007 @ 10:04 pm
The biggest problem with the CRB checks isn't that nasty people might get through, but that nice people will be offended at the notion that they have to be checked, and so refuse to go through with it. This is already happening. And no amount of fiddling with the process will fix what is a fundamentally anti-civil idea.
By alaric, Thu 28th Jun 2007 @ 9:55 am
Interesting... I didn't know CRB checks were so widespread! I'd heard of them being done for teachers and Scout leaders, where confirming you don't have a relevant criminal record seems fair enough, since you are left in a position of power over lots of children (and, more subtly, you get to handle a lot of personal information about them; my records include all sorts of information that I could probably make a lot of money selling to paedophiles to use in working their way into parents and children's trusts.
But cricket umpires and library book deliverers? Hmmf. Looks to me like arse-covering. If somebody in such a situation did do something untoward, then the organisation could use the fact they did CRB checks to protect themselves. "But but but the government said she was nice..."