The idea
My proposal is that the need for Criminal Records Board checks should be removed or simplified in relation to volunteers in charitable organisations who are only involved with the charity's users on a group basis – e.g. volunteers who help at group meetings for stroke victims or people with learning disabilities.
Why is it important?
I am a trustee of a local group where a number of volunteers help with group meetings for adults with learning disabilities. I am responsible for CRB checks, which are time-consuming and over-bureaucratic and seem pointless in a group situation where the volunteers are never on their own with the "customers". Many of the volunteers are teenagers, who have difficulty with the "three document rule" for identification. Could this not at least be reduced to one – e.g. a driving licence with both the name and address? Or better still, the need for a CRB check be removed completely?