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| 'Shock' at school criminal checks | 'Shock' at school criminal checks |
| (10 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). |
| It said no-one who had not been checked would work with children unsupervised until the investigation was complete. | It said no-one who had not been checked would work with children unsupervised until the investigation was complete. |
| Welsh education minister Jane Davidson said she was "shocked" and said it was "not acceptable" while one union leader said he was "astounded." | Welsh education minister Jane Davidson said she was "shocked" and said it was "not acceptable" while one union leader said he was "astounded." |
| The council will confirm later how many employees had been overlooked, but it is believed to be around 80. | The council will confirm later how many employees had been overlooked, but it is believed to be around 80. |
| It is still unclear how many schools are affected and what types of workers have slipped through the net. | It is still unclear how many schools are affected and what types of workers have slipped through the net. |
| This is an unacceptable situation Geraint Davies, NASUWT | |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| But he said that no person without a records check would be allowed to work unsupervised with children until the investigation was complete. | But he said that no person without a records check would be allowed to work unsupervised with children until the investigation was complete. |
| I am shocked to hear that the appropriate checks have not been carried out Jane Davidson, education minister | |
| 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. | "In order to ensure peace of mind, nobody should be employed in a school without a full CRB check being carried out. |
| "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." |
| 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. |
| Ms Davidson said the Powys position was "not acceptable considering that the assembly government has kept the education sector informed about the processes required". | Ms Davidson said the Powys position was "not acceptable considering that the assembly government has kept the education sector informed about the processes required". |
| She said schools and councils back in 2002 had been given guidance on "robust pre-appointment procedures" and she had reminded head teachers and governors in a letter again a year ago. | She said schools and councils back in 2002 had been given guidance on "robust pre-appointment procedures" and she had reminded head teachers and governors in a letter again a year ago. |
| "On 20 March I will also be bringing forward legislation to make enhanced CRB checks and other pre-appointment checks mandatory across the school workforce,¿ she said |