Fun lovin criminals

I used to have the sneaking suspicion that Criminal Record Bureau checks are really a stealth tax for people that want to help out. It can't really cost 33 quid or whatever it now is to look up a name on a database ? Okay, so there is probably more to it than that. However, I really don't think its as foolproof as everyone makes out. I would hazard a guess that people that really wanted to get around the CRB checks probably have heard of identity theft, and a few details later, bingo, they suddenly become John Q Smith and go about their naughtiness unchallenged.

What it does do is irritate people that may want to otherwise work with vulnerable groups. Like Healthcare assistants, APs etc (who often can't really spare the money), but also people like scoutleaders, volunteers at SCOPE or people that garden for the elderly. Because all that motivation, drive and good will can shrink and go elsewhere while you hang around waiting to check that you don't do unspeakable things to grandma.

Obviously there should be some level of checking. I don't want the likes of Idi Amin cleared to be working with Asian refugees. However, I do resent the red tape, the slowness and the needless running around. I could theoretically get a bank loan for £ 100000 to start a business and hire people in a quarter of the time it takes me to get cleared to help paint a school. That can't be right?

It also contributing to many projects stumbling in the early stages, where they need manpower the most. "Oh, we are just getting CRB clearance" has become the bane of many a manager who would otherwise just use caution and common sense. It also has a nasty guilty before being proven innocent edge to the proceedings and CRB doesnt eliminate risk of something happening afterwards.

I understand why it needs to happen, but does it have to be done so badly in the first place?