Bob, I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you referring to Criminal Record Bureau checks for those who may be employed working with children and vulnerable adults? I have been CRB'd as part of the process of being a school Governor at a school that became an academy - it was a requirement of the conversion. To me the CRB is purely a one off pre-employment check to satisfy the employer that they are not taking on anyone with a criminal history relating to their new employment (And it is as valid as an MOT in as much as it is only accurate on the day) So it is part of the risk management process but only for the very limited number of roles as specified. Interestingly, I've just googled CRB and now realise that there are a lot of commercial operators out there offering CRB checks as part of their offer so may be there are some out there looking for a monetary incentive etc and over complicating the process.

Bob I do voluntary work for the NHS and work in the remote medic area on occasion and require CRB checks on a regular basis for both activities in the UK. The view given by most of the professionals in the area is that a CRB only means if you are that way inclined you just haven't been caught yet... The risk assessment is undertaken when problems have been identified and come under the children's act in the main and (without going into the detail) there are various risk levels considered within those reports. However this is only when highlighted.... This is perhaps why there is a 'perception' that there are no risk assessment is carried out as referred to in the act...