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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask the school to give me a CRB check?

46 replies

SparklyGothKat · 27/09/2008 22:44

I have a disabled son and as a result I am regularly asked to transport Ds1 to school trips etc, as its easier for the school. This week I have been on 2 trips and was asked to transport 2 other children who have medical conditions. I said that I would do it, but only with the parents premission. The parents were fine with it, and thanked me. But I am sure what i did was wrong and I should have a CRB check if transporting other children apart from my own. Should I ask the school to pay for a CRB check if they want me to do this regularly?

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 27/09/2008 22:46

yes you should have a crb if alone with children and yes if the school wants to use your services, you are quite in your right to aslthem to pay for it

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 27/09/2008 22:53

ok will ask them about it on monday. I am trustworthly and have no police record, and I am pretty sure I had a CRB check done about 3 years ago (when I helped out at Ds1's old school) I remember filling in some forms. Anyway I know its out of date, so needs to be done again anyway

OP posts:
TurkeyLurkey · 27/09/2008 22:53

Yes defo if alone with other school kids.

islandofsodor · 27/09/2008 22:54

You also need to tell your car insurance that you are doing this.

KatyMac · 27/09/2008 22:55

tbh I would be more worried about your car insurance being valid

Although you are volunteering I think yu need to have business insurance on your car - do check with your insurers

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 27/09/2008 22:57

really?? I didn't think about that, its a mobility car (in Ds1's name) I might not be able to do it anyway then..

OP posts:
KatyMac · 27/09/2008 23:00

If you do it regularly it could be deemed to be employment (albeit voluntary) so unless you have the right insurance you could be personally sued in the case of an accident and lose everything

Just make sure you are covered

islandofsodor · 27/09/2008 23:02

Yes, I do volunteer chaperoning for children who take part in theatre performances and in a conversation with the Education Welfare Officefr last week in my meeting to license me I was told that I must not transport children (other than my own) unless I have business insurance tha covers it.

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 27/09/2008 23:03

normally its just Ds1. But the school were walking this week and the 2 other kids have mobility problems. I am not allowed to use my car for business.

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 27/09/2008 23:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 27/09/2008 23:04

I will tell the school that I am not allowed to transport other kids, but if they want me to be on school trips, then I want a CRB check too

OP posts:
Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 27/09/2008 23:07

Its because I was transporting Ds1 and was asked to take the other 2 too. The class was walking and its too far for Ds1 to walk, and uphill so hard work for someone to push him in his wheelchair. I didn't even think about my insurance TBH.

OP posts:
pinkspottywellies · 27/09/2008 23:15

Most of our volunteers used to just tell thier insurance co that they were transporting children on a voluntary basis. They claimed mileage but as long as you're not earning any money it shouldn't require business insurance. You are just a driver carrying passengers. You wouldn't need business insurance to give your friend's kids a lift to an activity. (Some insurance co's would try to charge more but we usually wrote and explained and it was fine.)

But yes the school should protect themselves by getting you CRB checked.

Bramshott · 27/09/2008 23:19

Our school says that most insurance companies will be quite relaxed about this, but that you must tell them you may occasionally be transporting other children for school purposes.

QOD · 27/09/2008 23:26

business use bumps the price up - and yes - its disgusting they havent crb'd you - I was helping with my dd's swim lessons - 3 weeks in I thought - wtf? I am surrounded by nude & half nude kids - I went and complained - they looked at me like I was insane.
But my thought was HANG ON! I KNOW I AM OK but what about anyone else?
SUddenly all parent volunteers had crb's done - NOT ONE HAD HAD ONE DONE!
Grrrrrrr

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 27/09/2008 23:40

I was chatting to the TA and said how its funny they get no other parents on trips etc, and she said 'oh its coz they have to be CRB checked' I said 'Oh I haven't been checked' and she said its different for me because of Ds1. But I still surrounded by other kids, and I am still helping out with them.

OP posts:
islandofsodor · 27/09/2008 23:48

You don't technically speaking have to be checked unless you are left alone with another child/group of children. However in your case you are being.

mabanana · 27/09/2008 23:49

why do you want a crb check though? You know you don't have a criminal record, so what is the point?

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 28/09/2008 00:10

because its the law. I know I am ok, but if other parents get wind of me being in charge of other kids without a CRB check then I risk problems and the school can get into trouble.

OP posts:
supportman · 28/09/2008 10:08

You should have a crb check for the trips out as its in school time and the school has responsibility. They are breaking the law in allowing you without the checks, but thats there problem and not yours. However if you was taking them to school or back to home then thats the parents responsibility and you wont legally need one. As for insurance, they would need informing but as your not being paid you wont need business insurance.

giraffescantdancethetango · 28/09/2008 10:11

it shouldnt bump up the price, if they say it will then tell them you will go else where. (ask on the nanny/cm board) agencies tell nannys that it shouldnt but up the price and to threaten to leave if they do and suddenly the increase vanishes

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/09/2008 12:03

agree you shouldnt need buisness use on car insurance as it isnt a job for you

but if you feel happier then ask your insurers, as girafee said, it shouldnt bump the price up, but if it does that just say you will move your policy - i have buisness on mine - didnt cost me a thing (with tesco)

tbh i really at school for not checking you have a crb

I helped out taking children to toilet on a nursery trip, as all the mums didnt have a crb ( i have one ,as i am a nanny)

though think other parents got off lightly tbh - wiping other childrens pooey bums isnt nice

Original poster
SparklyGothKat · 28/09/2008 12:07

thing is its a motability car, and am not allowed to use it for 'business'

OP posts:
QOD · 28/09/2008 12:23

mabanana - my point personally was that I knew I was ok, but if they werent checking anyone, that was very dangerous!

MrsWeasley · 28/09/2008 12:29

If you are in contact with children in school, (even just once a half term) other than your own you shoulc have a CRB check.

Our PTA members who come into school to do events etc all have CRB checks as do our govenors. Ask them for a form on monday they have probably just overlooked yours or assumed they have already done one for you.