HUNDREDS of staff could be working in Gwynedd schools despite not having been through Criminal Records Bureau checks.
All staff hired in the last ten years have received CRB clearance, but staff hired before 2002 only received police checks.
A Gwynedd Council spokesman said that the authority decided in the last few months that all staff hired before 2002 should apply for CRB clearance.
However, Gwynedd councillor Christoper O’Neal believes that more than 100 staff could be working without CRB checks.
He said: “While I am not accusing any teacher or member of staff, it’s important we have faith in the fact that the risk assessments are carried out, and a fundamental part of that is the CRB check."
Cllr O’Neal added on his Facebook page: “As a person who has previously worked with children in play schemes etc, it is deeply disturbed to find out that there are numerous staff working in gwynedd school's that dont even have CRB clearance.
“Taxi drivers, youth leaders and care workers all have to have clearance but its shocking to find put that a high number (over 100) people working with children on a day to day basis dont have CRB checks.
The CRB merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority this month to form the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The DBS aims to process standard disclosure forms in eight days and enhanced disclosure forms in 12 days.
A Gwynedd Council spokesman said the authority would collect applications from staff members and pass them to the CRB.
The spokesman added: “Since 2002, those who have been appointed to posts in Gwynedd schools have been dependent on receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
“A record noting that the member of staff has been through this process is kept on their personal file. Appointments to posts before 2002 were dependent on receiving a satisfactory police check.
“Having reviewed this policy, and to ensure the welfare of the county’s children, the Education Department has now decided that all school staff must provide a CRB disclosure form.
"We anticipate that all school staff will have a certified CRB check by January 2013.”