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| Schools criminal check 'weakness' | Schools criminal check 'weakness' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Up to 80 people working at schools in Powys have not been cleared to work with children, it has emerged. | Up to 80 people working at schools in Powys have not been cleared to work with children, it has emerged. |
| Powys Council said it had uncovered "weaknesses" in its checking procedures for the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). | Powys Council said it had uncovered "weaknesses" in its checking procedures for the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). |
| But it is unclear how many schools are affected and what types of workers have slipped through the net. | But it is unclear how many schools are affected and what types of workers have slipped through the net. |
| The council will confirm later how many employees had been overlooked, but it is believed to be around 80. One union official said he was "astounded". | The council will confirm later how many employees had been overlooked, but it is believed to be around 80. One union official said he was "astounded". |
| The CRB runs checks for organisations which are required by law to vet people working in positions of trust, often with children. | The CRB runs checks for organisations which are required by law to vet people working in positions of trust, often with children. |
| Anyone who has been cautioned for a sex offence would automatically be banned from working in schools. | Anyone who has been cautioned for a sex offence would automatically be banned from working in schools. |
| This is an unacceptable situation Geraint Davies, NASUWT | This is an unacceptable situation Geraint Davies, NASUWT |
| The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) said it was "astounded" that so many school workers had been overlooked by the council. | The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) said it was "astounded" that so many school workers had been overlooked by the council. |
| A spokesman for Powys Council said: "An internal review has revealed weaknesses in the council's CRB checking procedures. | A spokesman for Powys Council said: "An internal review has revealed weaknesses in the council's CRB checking procedures. |
| "We are currently establishing the extent of the issue and will issue a further statement when our investigations are complete." | "We are currently establishing the extent of the issue and will issue a further statement when our investigations are complete." |
| Geraint Davies, general secretary of the NASUWT in Wales, said the council had to take urgent action. | |
| "This is an unacceptable situation," he added. | "This is an unacceptable situation," he added. |
| "In order to ensure peace of mind, nobody should be employed in a school without a full CRB check being carried out," he added. | "In order to ensure peace of mind, nobody should be employed in a school without a full CRB check being carried out," he added. |
| "They must step up the checking process and find whoever these people are. It's in the interest of all concerned." | "They must step up the checking process and find whoever these people are. It's in the interest of all concerned." |
| Conservative Mid and West Wales AM Glyn Davies said: "I'm pleased the weaknesses have been identified, but I don't see any point in criticising. | Conservative Mid and West Wales AM Glyn Davies said: "I'm pleased the weaknesses have been identified, but I don't see any point in criticising. |
| "However, I would like to see a full statement and the procedures for correcting the position as soon as possible." | "However, I would like to see a full statement and the procedures for correcting the position as soon as possible." |
| Last year, the Home Office said customer satisfaction about the CRB checks was "now at an all-time high" and said checks in 2005 prevented 25,000 unsuitable people being recruited. | Last year, the Home Office said customer satisfaction about the CRB checks was "now at an all-time high" and said checks in 2005 prevented 25,000 unsuitable people being recruited. |