Working with vulnerable adults and children
CRB Checks
All people (staff and volunteers) working with vulnerable clients should be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked. If you work with vulnerable clients you should also have your Trustees CRB checked. The Charities Commission will require this if you are a registered charity. You also need to have procedures in place that ensure that you comply with the law. Agencies that do this work have to be registered with the Government and comply with rigid procedures.
Impact Initiatives are registered and will process CRB checks for you for a small fee. They will also help you put the right procedures in place to carry out this work. Impact Intiatives will advise you on codes of practice, Rehabilitation of Ex Offenders Act 1974 and the Data Protection Act 1998. CRB checks are just one part of keeping vulnerable adults and children safe. You will need to ensure that you have other procedures in place. The CRB Checks Co-ordinator can be contacted on 01273 770127 or email hr.services@impact-initiatives.org.uk.
Published by Community and Voluntary Sector ForumIf you work with vulnerable people, for example children, people with learning disabilities or mental heath issues or a frail older person, then your first responsibility is to ensure that they are safeguarded from harm and exploitation. You will need to ensure that staff are trained in spotting situations where someone may be in danger and you will also need to ensure that your own practice does not put vulnerable people at risk. There are multi agency strategy groups for both adults and children that ensure procedures and training are in place. Both are co-ordinated by the City Council. If you plan to receive funding from statutory agencies for helping vulnerable people they will require you to address this issue. However, if you are a small organisation you should still ensure that you comply with good practice.
Procedures for working with vulnerable people and contact details for advice or referal of a situation can be obtained from these websites.
Children
Adults
Published by Brighton and Hove Impetus
