Criminal checks must not discourage volunteers from giving time

Responding to the new vetting and barring scheme, which will be introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from October, for the purposes of Criminal Records Bureau checks -CSV’s (Community Service Volunteers) Director of Part Time Volunteering, Sue Gwaspari said today:

“We must do everything we can to protect children from the attentions of criminals, but in doing so we must be careful not to add additional barriers that will discourage volunteers from giving their time and creates a world of distrust and apathy.

Children’s experience at school, involved in sport and/or leisure activities is enriched by the involvement of hundreds of volunteers who willingly give their time. Eternal vigilance, good support and supervision gives greater protection than any check however thorough.”

For over 45 years CSV has involved citizens in full-time (4-12 months) and part-time volunteering.  Every year, over 200,000 volunteers mentor children at school, and in care; support families with children at risk; buddy mental health service users; help people with disabilities to live independently; protect the environment and befriend isolated older people.

"We must be careful not to add additional barriers that will discourage volunteers from giving their time and create a world of distrust and apathy."

Sue Gwaspari, CSV's director of part-time volunteering

The new Independent Safeguarding Authority will be the biggest of its kind anywhere in the world where two hundred case workers in Darlington will collect information passed to them by the police, professional bodies and employers, and rule on who is barred from working with children.

CSV’s view is that volunteering is ‘service’ freely given without expectation of reward and that many volunteers resent the intrusion and are ceasing to volunteer.

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For press information: Victoria Silver 020 7812 0038 / 0037 or 07866 757 389

Notes to editors

1. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK’s leading volunteer charity and creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action.  Each year 164,000 people give 4.1 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV.  www.csv.org.uk

2. The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been created to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. www.isa-gov.org.uk