What is the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)?
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is the body responsible for providing employers who apply for a check, with the criminal details of any applicants they intend to employ. The report helps the employer to make and informed decision on the applicant’s suitability for the post applied for.
You can visit their website at http://www.crb.gov.uk/
Should you be concerned?
Unlikely as it is that you would leave your child under any circumstance, with a total stranger, yet, it is a common practise in martial arts. The myths that surround it provide parents with a false sense of confidence, this in turn has allowed a few individuals to take advantage of the situation and as a consequence ended up harming those they have been trusted to care for. As an organisation we have led the way in ensuring that we follow official recommendations laid down by the government.
What can you do?
Being vigilant is a must, as children do not always reveal everything they go through to their parents for various reasons. You are the ones who must ask questions on their behalf. Anyone teaching your child regardless of the sport will have a degree of specific training on safeguarding children or similar. They would also have to be CRB cleared and insured for liability and indemnity. All our teachers are qualified, in line with coaches from other regulated organisations.
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)
As from October 2009, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will become the official and only body where the general public will be able to check their website to find out if a teacher has been barred from teaching or not. Anyone regardless of sport who is in regular contact with children (under 18 years) will have to be registered with the ISA and be given a unique number. This allocated number will indicate that the person has not been barred, however it will not tell you if the person has/had a criminal record or not.
All our teachers will be ISA registered and we will have policies in place to ensure compliance to the new rules with our own safety measures in place to make the rulings watertight.
You can visit their website at www.isa-gov.org.uk
If you wish for further info please send us an email or give us a call.
Due to unforseen circumstances the ISA will not be active until 2010.