police check

[mainlymayday]

I am in the process of employing a nanny who has great references and I feel very confident in her. However, I thought I should do a police check just to be "belt and braces" about it.

But when I went on the Criminal Records Bureau website it says this:

"The current legislation does not allow the self-employed or individuals to apply for a CRB check on themselves. In addition, parents who employ a nanny/au pair/babysitter directly cannot apply for a CRB check; however, if an agency supplies the nanny/au pair/babysitter, the agency is entitled to carry out a CRB check."

As I have not used an agency, I cannot do a check. I'm not particularly concerned but I just thought it was odd. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Thanks

Charlotte

It is odd that domestic employers can not check the criminal record of their employees and the CRB are aware of the situation. There are changes being made to the vetting of everyone working with children, but it will take a few more years of planning and legislation. You can read more about these plans within the recommendations made by the Bichard Inquiry .

News Report: Parents To Get Online Check - This helps to explain progress (or lack of) being made for online CRB checks which any employer can access. Within the next few years, I expect we will get these checks done online, but it could be a good few years away.

For now, the only way I know of is to get a check done on a nanny via the Childcare Approval Scheme, or from April, via the Ofsted Childcare Register (which is replacing the Childcare Approval Scheme).

Quick update.
The CRB have their Business Plan on their website. This briefly mentions checks being obtained by parents.
Full vetting and baring scheme is on the plan for 2008/09.

December 2006 CRB Newsletter also has information about checking the status of Nannies. The CRB say in their newsletter that the Vetting And Baring Scheme will be phrased in from Autumn 2008.
The CRB writes "those employing people to work with children or vulnerable adults in domestic arrangements (e.g. nannies and care
workers) will be entitled to check whether an employee is 'subject to monitoring', with the employee's consent."

So things are moving along... slowly.

don't know anything about this but my DS's piano teacher has the same problem as she is self employed - she can't get herself CRB checked - all very strange if you ask me

I am not sure about this but I think there's a way round it - I employed a nanny who had a crb check. I can only guess that she was on the books of an agency, the agency did the check, and provided her with a copy. she was then able to show it to potential employers - even if they hadn't found her through the agency. either that or she showed me a fake . or the law has changed since 2003 perhaps?

not good really anything could have happened since her last police check

everyone working with other people self employed or not should be given a police check

it was very recent.