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Criminal Records Bureau Checks are sometimes requested by parents who want, quite naturally, to protect their children. These checks are done on several different levels, are very intensive, and should not be confused with the ‘police check’.

The so-called police check is simply a check on the criminal record of that person. It does not say the person is suitable to be around children. For that reason it is usually worthless.

There is a lot of confusion about the CRB checks, so I thought I would jot these notes to help clear up some misconceptions.

First of all, a performer does not really need one. He or she will sometimes obtain one as a service for the client. A CRB certificate is issued for one job and so in theory there should be one for each and every booking, which of course is totally impractical.

Generally CRB checks are only useful when a person is to have long periods of time alone with children. Entertainers are not normally left on their own with his (or her) audience; there are usually lots of other people around as well.

The certificate is open ended, in other words, there is no finish date.

The enhanced certificate also covers vulnerable adults and has a far greater depth of information.

Equity, the Actors Union, suggests that entertainers are not left alone with children anyway. This rule is for the protection of the children and the entertainer.

An entertainer cannot apply for the certificate him or herself, they have to be obtained through an agency or an umbrella organisation.

Unless a performer is going to spend periods of time alone with children, it is a waste of time to worry about CRB checks. It is far more sensible for all concerned to make sure a responsible adult (not an older child) is always present. Then everyone will be protected.

Best wishes

BB

www.BillyBanana.com