CRB check

[BlackSwan]

How do I get a CRB check for a new sitter? She doesn't have one...& I don't want to cut corners.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Startinganewjob/DG_195809

Many thanks

I don't think you can as a parent. It would need to be done by an agency - some may well process it for an admin fee.

Isn't it ridiculous that you can't get one as a parent? There should be some form of application which is granted to parents/guardians with the consent of the sitter/nanny. Why ever not?

The ISA scheme was abandoned. If it had gone ahead, then it might have made it easier for parents to find out criminal record history of childcare workers. However it may also have meant an ID card system for childcare workers, which I expect government may have thought was not a vote winner. Who knows for sure... but that's the way the system is at the moment.

CRB checks are not that great anyway... what do they really tell you... that someone has not been caught doing something. Don't put too much reliance on it - it's helpful as part of the recruitment process but you could ask them to sign a statement that they have not had any cautions or convictions.

Many people working in childcare will have a CRB check from another job, it may be many years old but it gives you a snapshot of things at that time.