With CRB checks coming up more and more frequently in the media and when people are applying for jobs, we thought it was about time to demystify the checks and answer some of the questions that are asked again and again.
What is a CRB check?
A CRB check is a means for an employer to verify a prospective or current employee’s response to the question “Do you have any criminal convictions.” Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act of 1974, criminals who have served a prison sentence of less than 2 and a half years and do not re-offend during a set ‘rehabilitation’ period after their release will have their conviction spent, which means it doesn’t show up any more and is no longer relevant when the person is being considered for most jobs. There are, however, some jobs, like childcare and care of vulnerable adults, where these invisible convictions are relevant and so in these cases, checks have to be run to make sure applicants have no convictions at all that are relevant to the positions, even if they are spent.
There are two different types of check:
- Standard
This is the basic check that is needed for all people working with children or vulnerable adults as well as various other professions specified in the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Standard disclosures show current and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings that are stored on the central police computer. Depending on the position, they might also search the Protection of Children list, the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list and any information that is held under section 142 of the education act 2002.
- Enhanced Disclosure
This is the highest level check available to those who want to be regularly caring, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults. It is also the check you need for certain licensing purposes or judicial appointments. The info for this check is the same as standard disclosure, but any other relevant information about you that the police hold will also be disclosed. This can be very personal and sensitive information, but a Code of Practice has been put in place to protect your personal information and ensure it is handled fairly and properly.
How do I get one then?
Most CRB checks are done through a 3rd party employer. Your employer will do your check through a registered body. A registered body is an organisation that has the right to ask the questions that are exempt under the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act or can countersign on the behalf of another organisation who are themselves entitled to ask these questions. Basically they are in charge of making sure that your application is kosher and will countersign it once they’ve processed it to say that all your information is genuine. Before they do this they will:
- Check and validate the information you give them
- Make sure you are who you say you are
- Check that your application form is correctly filled in and that you haven’t told any porkies
- To make sure that the application process complies with the CRB’s code of practice.
Once this is all verified, they will countersign your application to confirm that the organisation you are applying from has the right to access the criminal record information.
Your employer can also get checks from Umbrella bodies, which are often companies who themselves have to get CRB checks for a large proportion of their employees and so they offer access to the checks to smaller companies who cannot become registered bodies. This works well as it gives smaller companies access to CRB checks.
Once your form is submitted by the registered body, it’s up to the civil service to do all the confidential checking. The people at the CRB will also work with the Department of Health and the Department for Children Schools and Families to get the information they hold about people who are considered unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.
How long is the check valid for?
Your check can last up to three years if you stay in the same job, upon which most employers will be advised to run the check again. However if you change job before the three years is up, you might have to get a completely new one anyway. The government have not banned portability (the use of a disclosure obtained by another organisation) but they don’t advocate it and encourage businesses to make their own checks to ensure they are up to standard and nothing has been missed. This protects them against mistakes that may have been made in your previous check. It also prevents anyone applying for a job with a falsified check; because of the sensitive nature of the information, registered bodies cannot share the details they uncover and so it is impossible to verify the content of a disclosure that has already been carried out. The best way for employers to avoid this is always to do their own checks.
How long does it take to get?
This depends on how long it takes you to complete the form, how long your registered body takes to make their checks and send it off and then finally the time it takes the CRB or the SCRO (Scottish Criminal Records Office) to carry out the check itself. The amount of time it takes also varies according to the season and how many checks are being carried out at the time. For example, in the summer, there will be lots of checks for teachers and so checks will probably take a bit longer because of the back log. One registered body we looked at gives an average of around 8-10 days for a standard disclosure and 23 days for an enhanced disclosure, which is almost in line with the Criminal Records Bureau’s estimation of 10 days for a standard check and 4 weeks for an enhanced check. However, this is probably a bit optimistic, so be prepared to wait longer. There is also now an online tracking system so you can check the status of your application.
Can individuals get CRB checks?
The short answer is no. Standard and enhanced disclosures are not like licenses or passports; they have to be obtained by a 3rd party on your behalf, so an employer or a regulator can apply for a check for you, but you cannot apply for a check yourself. This is because these checks are only allowed to be carried out when an employer has a role that is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. So, even if you are paying for the check, the contract will be between the registered body and your employer. The only disclosure you can get by yourself is a basic one and you can only get these through Disclosure Scotland.
What about if I’m self-employed?
For individuals who are self-employed, getting a CRB is difficult. You can do it through an organisation you belong to, like your church or a sports club, whereby they act as your third party. You can also get your check with the UK Umbrella service which provides checks for the self-employed. However if you cannot get your hands on the CRB check, a good alternative is a Subject Access Report which you can obtain by filling out a form online or going down to your local police station. The report costs £10 and shows anything that is on your record. It should take around 4 weeks to process.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the checks vary:
- A standard disclosure from the CRB currently costs £31.00. This is due to be cut to £26.00 on 1 October 2009.
- An enhanced disclosure from the CRB will cost £36.00
- If you are a volunteer then your check is free.
However, on top of these charges you will pay administration fees which will vary according to the different Registered Bodies, but are usually in the region of £20 plus VAT.
- CRB checks are only valid in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and for Scotland you must get your check done by Disclosure Scotland. All checks carried out cost £20 and then you’ll have to pay the Registered Body’s administration fees on top.
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hi.
i submited application for CRB check 0n 4th march 2010 by one recruitment agency.so how can i see that my crb will check out or not,and when i got copy of crb ,how long time tack for crb checking,
i came in UK at 26 DEC2009, i have indian nationality.
so ,pls reply to me,
Many thanks.
Hello Lalit
The CRBs take at least seven weeks to process.
The CRB will be sent to you and a copy will be sent to the agency. Everyone has to wait a long time but it will be good when it arrives
I did 40hrs community service 11 years ago for shoplifting. I’ve worked at my current job (Secretary at NHS) for 13 years. Manager now wants to do a CRB check and has given me the form to fill. Will this show up? Can I be fired? I don’t work directly with vulnerable adults or children.
Hi, I have a CRB check that was done a few months ago with my current employer. it shows that i have a conviction for theft (during an incident that happened during an upsetting time when i was getting divorced in 2001-3) it clearly shows a court case covering 2 and a half years. I was convicted of theft and had a sentance of 1 year imprisonment, which I served 7 weeks of before being released on licence. it was a one off incident. I work for a training provider as an assessor and deal with adults in their workplace. I told my current employer I had a record and they accept the CRB check and never asked me about it when it came in.
I have applied for a new job, again as an assessor and was wondering if they can exclude me from this job because I have a record for theft?
Any advice gratefully received
thanks
Hi Julie,
It’s tricky to answer you as I don’t know all the details of your conviction or what your job is now. However, check out the government site which deals specifically with this issue http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpandadvice/exoffenders/disclosure/. It’s really helpful and should have the answer to your questions. Hope it helps.
We are a small playgroup with 3 staff who run the sessions three times a week less than 2hrs per session. The staff are paid and the sessions charged for but as we are a small charitable group are not sure where we stand on CRB or ISA checks? Do we need to have these done and if so how do we go about it?
Cheers
need help?
hi there,
I have just been on a step into childcare course through sure start. and now that it has finished I have found a placement in a local school which has a nursery, as I want to be a nursery nurse. so I can do my nvq there over 16 hours per week and an assessor will come out to me and asses me, which is good but I need a crb check and the school wont pay and sure start wont pay ether so how do I get one should one of them pay or me. I am a volunteer I don’t get paid
thanx Emma
Hi Emma
At Top Notch Nannies we go to:
Bligh Appointments
70 North End Road
W14 9EP
Opposite West Kensington Underground
Telephone:0207 603 6123
They charge £40 per CRB
Hope you find that helpful
thank you Jean
Emma
Hi Emma,
As a volunteer you CRB is free. The following off the CRB website.
“To apply for this type of a “free of charge” Disclosure the Countersignatory must:
Satisfy themselves that the person meets the criteria; and
Ensure that the position applied for in section B18 describes the role of the applicant e.g. “Sunday School Teacher” DO NOT just use the word “Volunteer”; and
Place a cross [X] in the volunteer box in section Y8 on the application form. Failure to do so will result in the relevant fee being charged; and
If your organisation has Payment on Account, DO NOT cross out the [X] in the POA box, but place a cross [X] in the box Y8 marked “Volunteer – no payment due”.
I think you can apply for the CRB through the school but ensure you tick the “volunteer box”
Hope this helps.
Leanne
thank you leanne
I thought it was free
Emma
If I have a crb check passed with one employer would it still be valid with another employer or would I have to have a new crb check done if, for instance I worked for 3 care homes, doing the same work, and moving from one to another home with no breaks and within a 3 month period? ie – are crb checks only valid for one employer and period of employment?
Similarly, if I was involved in agency work where I was working for more than one agency and more than one employer – would I have to have a crb check for each agency and employer even though it covered the same period?
Hi Barbara. I asked Leanne at Top Notch Nannies (www.topnotchnannies.com) and she said this: “To the best of my knowledge CRB are specific to a particular employer. My other half has had to have a CRB issued by the school and one issued by the church as they fall in different boroughs. Generally they are valid for a period of 1 year. Each care home would have to do a new CRB check at the start of employment.”
“Yes. I know that some agencies are happy to use the CRB check issued by another agency as this saves them having to do it themselves. However if you are working with children and vulnerable adults you will need to have a POCA(Protection of Children Act) and POVA(Protection of Vulnerable Adults) check done.”
Hello Barbara
Sadly the answer is not straightforward! If you are going for temp. jobs then one CRB check can go with you, but if you go for a Permanent job the new employer MIGHT ask for a new CRB. The situation seems to vary among employers. If you work in Care Homes then each #home usually expect a new CRB.
Best wishes
Jean
I agreed to an enhanced CRB check for a careres job, it came back clear but i decided job was not for me! they have sent me a bill of £46 for the CRB check, on calling CRB was told it was £36? My question is and I need to be accurate on this! is am I legally required to pay this? and if so, do I have to pay £46 or £36 only? I realy dont need guessing on this. Does anyone know 100% who is legally responsible for the payment. Especialy as I dont want the job…
Hi Elaine, I’ve asked an HR professional about this and her answer is: “I think that should she ever wish to work for this company again, she pay it but if she doesn’t want to work for them, I don’t see how they could get her to pay, unless it was through the small claims court. I would need a bit more detail, like timeframes, but it’s more of a legal one.”
Hope that helps!
I would like to get a CRB check done as I teach singing to children privately in my home. How can I go about this?
Thanks for your help.
Linda Gerrard
You can get an agency to do the check for you – there’s a list on the CRB website. Here’s the link http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/faqs/umbrella_bodies.aspx
for example, this company http://www.ddc.uk.net/
I applied for CRB in july unfortunately I have not received the feed back yet how longer should I still wait
I think you should phone up and ask. It can’t harm!
Good news spoke to the CRB people and they say it is not a legal requirement ot have one (despite what we read) we can carry on supplying our services responsibly and not disappoint our juniors. This still leaves us out of the loop and relying on our own practices. It would be good to share our methods with others and even set up our own group to cover this area contact octojim@myhandle.com
Yes I agree it is not, at present, a legal requirement to have a CRB, although it is considered good practice.
With the Vetting and Barring scheme starting to get individuals to register from July 2010 it WILL become a legal requirement for anyone (paid or unpaid), to register themselves on the database if they have regular contact.
Hi all
I am hoping to start my own part-time business being a clown/kid’s entertainer. One slight problem, I have a conviction for assualt (a moment of drunken madness). Would I be better off not pursuing my goal? I’m not sure where I stand on this important issue.
It would depend if the conviction is spent, and whether the assault was on a child. If it’s on an adult that won’t be so much of a problem. It’s worth trying anyway.
Hi
I run an underwater hockey junior team and have been doing so for 12 years, a result of which both my Son and Daughter play for GB squads as do 2 of our other players, they are now in their 20’s but we have an ongoing youth program. We are not a registered organisation as we are too small, and only volunteers. we monitor helpers by having no one in a vulnerable situation without being observed. I have a CRB check from being an emergency response volunteer but trips to the police station and viewing the mass of unfriendly web sites has led nowhere Our funds are small and even our national body the BOA (www.gbuwh.co.uk) are not large enough too offer checks. If there are too many hoops we are going to close and disappoint many young people. What do we do?
The CRB says that anyone (paid or unpaid), working with children, young people or vulnerable adults should undertake a check if they work 3 days or more in any 30 day period. This will be the same when the new Vetting and Barring scheme starts asking for individuals to register from July 2010 (new entrants), or April 2011 for current workers.
CRB checks are NOT portable and need to get one for each organisation you work for.
http://www.crb.gov.uk has a list of umbrella bodies who can assist you with your checks.
What I would like to know is what happens if you have lived abroad for 2 yrs previous in an EU country, does the form have to be checked in the relevent country also?
hi there, i have been searching for information on how to get a CRB if you are self emplyed and Umberella organisations CANNOT request them on behalf of the self employed. it needs to be done by a trade association or agency that employs or accredits you.
Interesting what you say on disclosure because on the CRB web site they state that individuals should be sent a copy of the records by the checking body.
Which one is true now?
I am unable to fully agree with the above. The Metropolitan police have a target of 100% in 60 days and last month dropped to completing only 39% in this time frame. Given that the both the CRB and my PCT created a 4 week delay due to their own admin error i have now waited 11 weeks, salary free and at risk of losing both home and job. The police are swamped. They deal with checks in date order only so it makes no difference that I have been at my address for 12 years, am a crime-free UK national and have worked in the NHS for the majority of this time too. I only went on maternity leave but a i return to a different post so need the check again. I think it is faster elsewhere in the country but that really doesn’t do me any good, like a lot of people, i live in London.
I belong to an amateur dramatics group which is planning to produce a Christmas pantomime which will involve working with children from a local primary school. Do we need to have CRB checks carried out, and if so, do we count as volunteers?
The group itself should get everyone to have a check done as a matter of course if they regularly work with children and young people.
If it is a one off that you are working with children and young people then possibly not., although it is seen as good practice for you to do them.
If you are unpaid then yes you are a volunteer and in theory your check is FREE, but if you need to do these through another agency they may add on an admin fee.
For a list of agencies who can check you see http://www.crb.gov.uk look under umbrella bodies.