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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, NASUWTThis 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.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."
The Liberal Democrat AM for Montgomeryshire, Mick Bates, said he was concerned there were weaknesses in the system.
"Although this has been exposed, I don't think there are any problems other than the CRB checks not being completed, and the council said it had uncovered this themselves."
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.