Newly released research assembled on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) recently disclosed information that you’ll probably find relieving. Yet at the same time, the information is a tad frightening. The research points to the fact that during the previous 3 years, CRB checks have kept 60,000 “unsuitable” individuals from coming into contact with vulnerable adults and children.

The research is proof that CRB’s disclosure system is helping the Bureau accomplish its mission of protecting children and vulnerable adults. It does this through a process of making background information – especially criminal activity – available to any organisations that request it. It’s certainly a relief knowing that individuals with questionable pasts will find it increasingly difficult to harm the most vulnerable members of society.

But what’s frightening is thinking what might have happened to the vulnerable adults and children who might have come into contact with those “unsuitable” individuals had CRB checks not been performed. Countless people with learning and physical disabilities, and individuals who aren’t able to effectively communicate or defend themselves from abuse, neglect and assault could have become victims of horrible acts.

Which organisations are conducting CRB checks?

It’s mandatory that organisations recruiting individuals into positions of trust conduct at least a Standard CRB check. But administrators of nursing homes, educational institutions, and independent hospitals and clinics aren’t the only organisations conducting CRB checks today.

Employers looking to fill financial services positions increasingly are taking such steps with their new hires. These employers want to know whether the individuals they’re considering hiring were involved in criminal activity such as fraud or embezzlement while at any of their previous places of employment.

And with terrorism an ever-growing threat, the backgrounds of those seeking any type of work at airports and rail stations are being carefully scrutinized before being hired. Employers want to know exactly where prospective new hires have been, especially during the past 5 years. Gaps revealed in CVs and CRB checks are of particular concern since a gap may be an indication that the individual is trying to hide part of his or her past.

Government subcontractors risk losing potentially lucrative contracts if they’re not able to prove that they’ve taken steps to thoroughly investigate the people who will be performing the work outlined in those contracts. That’s a risk most subcontractors can’t afford to take.

CRB checks well worth the effort

The potential dangers of not knowing everything you can about prospective employees’ backgrounds are many. That’s why organisations of all sorts are making routine CRB checks part of their recruitment processes.

As an employer you’ve probably heard stories of hiring decisions being delayed because of the excessive amount of time some background checks take to complete. It’s true that delays can be disruptive and may even cause you to lose valuable prospects, but that shouldn’t discourage your efforts.

Think it’s time to add CRB checks to your recruitment efforts? If you already take this step do you find it difficult to keep track of the status of your CRB checks? If so, let HR software help.

HR software can keep track of your organisation’s vacancies. It can help manage each position’s applicants including resumes and other documents. It can even track all your recruitment efforts including the costs associated with those efforts. If all that wasn’t enough, HR software can act as your guide, ensuring that all new recruits are treated exactly the same way.

And that’s just the beginning. Good HR software will automatically transfer the related data of those whom you hire into an employee database. Depending on the number of new hires your organisation handles daily, weekly or per annum, that step alone can save hours of manpower.

Perhaps it’s time you find out how HR software can help your organisation.

Learn more at Hr Software Reviews and Madebymurphy.com

HR Software Directory