talkmagic.co.uk

Hi guys.

I wonder if someone has had the same experience?

I'm a magician that specialises in Weddings, Private Functions and Corporte work.

I've been asked to provide a quote for an event where children may be present (who happen to be there with their parents).

I've now been asked to show I'm CRB checked. I'm not a children's entertainer. I know a few routines I can fall back on when at weddings and a guest asks me if I can show their son/ daughter a routine. It's always in front of other adults, so I have never bothered looking into this.

Anyone else experienced something similar?

Would anyone think it's a good idea to have this (even though my bookings are mainly weddings and corporate)?

Cheers

Hi
I would say that yes you need this. This has been discussed before somewhere on here but as you may come into contact with Children it is useful to have. You will have to absorb the cost of obtaining one but that is just one of those things. I can't remember how much they are these days but they are not expensive to obtain and once you have it, you have it! It is also always good to mention on your website that you have one.

Regards

Thanks for the comment.

I've just had a look at the DirectGov website and you can have the following checks undertaken:


standard CRB check - for certain specified jobs, licences and entry into certain professions
enhanced CRB check - for those working with children or vulnerable adults in regulated activity; applicants for gaming and lottery licences; and judicial appointments

I'd imagine that I would need the enhanced CRB - is that what magicians seem to go for?

Thanks,

You probably only really need a standard check, the enhanced checks are more aimed at people who work closely with children such as teachers, childrens sport club cosches etc. For a magician, I'd have thought that a standard check would be fine.

Thanks Lady of Mystery.

BTW - I loved your Murder in Mind book. I'm currently looking at how I can adapt it for my new show I'm working on. It's a great routine

Unless you are going to be alone with children, (no adults present) then you don't need one.
Never be alone with just a single child.

I have one as I do children's magic but even then I make sure that I am never alone with the children.

For your own protection, there should be one male and one female present at all times when any children are there.

Drawing on experience from my day job, a standard CRB check will suffice, but as others have said ensure you do not work alone with children for your own protection.

Further to this if you are ever in doubt, then check with the local authority licensing department, who are there to offer you advice on all manner of things!! Just keep your fingers crossed you don't get the numpty! (which you undoubtedly will)

You will probably be asked for public liability insurance as well at some point in the future if you don't already have this, i have also discovered that a lot of local authorities require this for you to perform on land owned by them, again if you ever in doubt of land ownership the local authority planning department will gladly assist!

Much love

Aza

The wrinkle though is that you can't get one of yourself I thought - a CRB check is done on you by an employer.

Is that right?

fiftytwo wrote:The wrinkle though is that you can't get one of yourself I thought - a CRB check is done on you by an employer.

Is that right?

No, it is possible to get a CRB check yourself, there should be info online because if (for example) you are setting up a charity that works with vulnerable people you need to get your own CRB check.

soveda wrote:

fiftytwo wrote:The wrinkle though is that you can't get one of yourself I thought - a CRB check is done on you by an employer.

Is that right?

No, it is possible to get a CRB check yourself, there should be info online because if (for example) you are setting up a charity that works with vulnerable people you need to get your own CRB check.

This is right. It used to be that you needed a third party to obtain a crb check and it wasn't transferable. You can now get a crb check on yourself and it is transferrable. There is a cost, but they are free if you do voluntary work through a charity and that is transferrable and can be used in your business. This vrb check would most likely be the enhanced crb check which would cover you in any situation.

As most people are aware crb checks do not mean a lot and evenif you have one you should still have other adults present as an extra level of protection.

Nic

It doesn't matter what level of CRB you've got, you should always make sure there are other adults present when working with children. Remember that a CRB isn't to protect you, its to protect the children and give piece of mind to their parents.