Screening adults who have contact with young people and vulnerable adults within the club is always necessary. This screening can take a number of forms;

• Self declaration forms;
• Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks/disclosures;
• Asking for references;
• Interviewing. 

The screening process should be used consistently for all staff recruited or employed by the club.  The current volunteers can be asked to provide the same information as the new volunteers.

In Wales, employers and voluntary groups can contact the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action’s (WCVA) Criminal Records Unit (CRU) for advice, information and training in using the disclosure service. The WCVA is a registered organisation with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and acts on behalf of the voluntary sector within Wales. The Criminal Records Unit is committed to providing a professional bilingual customer service for access to criminal records checks through the CRB Disclosure service There are NO charges to use the unit. The only charges are those levied by the CRB in relation to checks for PAID employees. Volunteer checks are FREE. All organisations wishing to use WCVA CRU will be required to register as an entitled user.

Using criminal records checks/disclosures helps organisations make safer and informed recruitment decisions for positions that involve working with children or vulnerable adults.

The police check or criminal record check is only part of the recruitment process and should not be relied upon as the only way of reducing the risk of recruiting unsuitable people for jobs that have close contact with children or vulnerable people.

Good standards of practice within your organisation will give confidence to the people and they are more likely to want to join. As a club you must apply the same procedures consistently with volunteers and paid staff whether part time or full time.  Therefore, as the procedures become more routine the less intimidating they will be to genuine and well motivated applicants.

For more information on your specific sport/activity guidelines, contact your NGB.  Your Local Authority will also be able to provide some advice and guidance here.