# New guidance on CRB checks for volunteers available

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/06/05/new-guidance-crb-checks-volunteers-available/
- Published: 2008-06-05T10:01:12+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Office of the Third Sector has published updated guidance to help charities 
and organisations that use volunteers understand when they do and do not need to
carry on Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on volunteers.

The new guidance is designed to “help cut unnecessary red tape”. The Office of the
Third Sector (OTS) says that it “responds to concerns voiced by the voluntary sector
that potential volunteers can be put off if they are asked to undergo a CRB check
without good reason”. Specifically the guidance is a response to recommendations
put to the Government by Baroness Neuberger, the Government’s Independent Volunteering
Champion.

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said: “The Government has a duty to protect
vulnerable people and CRB checks play an important part in this. However, it is 
a real waste if volunteers are being put off doing their hugely valuable work because
checks are being carried out unnecessarily. Risk has to be managed properly and 
proportionately and I hope that this guidance will help organisations by giving 
them a clear step by step process to follow.”

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The 23-page guidance “Criminal Records Bureau checks: Guidance for volunteering”
can be downloaded from the OTS’ website:

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/~/media/assets/www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/OTS_CRB%
20pdf.ashx

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