The 22 per cent hike in fees for checks on adults applying to work with children could place even more pressures on cash-strapped schools at a time of swingeing budget cuts, claims school leaders’ union, the National Association of Head Teachers today (15th March).
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), which supplies criminal records checks to public bodies such as schools, announced an £8 increase in its fees yesterday (Monday March 14) taking the cost of an enhanced check to £44.
General Secretary of the NAHT, Russell Hobby, said: “At a time of budget cuts when schools are already struggling to meet the financial demands being placed on them, this may seem to many that the CRB is placing the final straw on the camel’s back.”
“Since these checks are not optional for schools, the CRB appears to have slapped a tax on its service for a captive audience to fund changes to the CRB regime set to be introduced by the government. We have to wonder where schools will make cuts to balance their books if costs continue to increase for essential services.
“We would urge organisations such as the CRB to exercise some commercial restraint for the foreseeable future and not see issues such as child protection as an opportunity to make money.”
Page Published: 15/03/2011
