Milford Haven News
Council can't disqualify school governors with criminal records
7:20pm Saturday 4th February 2012
A local authority has no power to disqualify a school governor whose Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check returns criminal activities or causes for concern.
The Safeguarding Accountability and Improvement Board, set up in the wake of critical reports of procedures at Pembrokeshire County Council, has been told the council can request each school governing body require that governors have a CRB check, with disqualification from office as a sanction for refusing the check.
But more information was needed about what could be done if the check uncovered ‘positive disclosure’ as only the governing body itself has the power to disqualify.
But, bizarrely, requesting that the body complete a risk assessment process would create ‘significant data protection and confidentiality issues’, the board has been told, ‘particularly if the decision was made to disqualify as this decision and the reasons for it would have to be shared with the governing body’.
The children and families scrutiny committee last week asked for a report on relevant issues and difficulties regarding CRB checking and vetting of volunteers coming into contact with children and young people in connection with council duties and activities.