Ofsted have clarified
the position for volunteers which include Governors
Volunteers Checks are required
for those who have regular and unsupervised access to children and
young people. The definition of supervision is currently being considered under
the terms of the Protection of Freedoms Bill and
will be the subject of guidance from the Department for Education when the bill
becomes law next year.
However, schools and
colleges have been advised by CRB and in Safeguarding children and safer
recruitment in education that a risk assessment should
take place when volunteers are recruited. Schools and colleges should be able
to provide such risk assessments and be able to explain the rationale for those
who have been checked and those who have not. The key criterion for checking
volunteers is regular and unsupervised contact with children.
School Governors do not require a CRB check unless they will have regular and unsupervised access to children and young people.
However, it should be noted that refusal by a School Governor to have a CRB check carried out is a disqualification factor as detailed in the School Governors Guide to the law (GTTL)
Schedule 6 of the Constitution Regulations covers the disqualifications of governors. This includes 'If a governor refuses to allow an application to the Criminal Records Bureau for a criminal records certificate'
