CRB Checks
Herts Aid considers the safety and wellbeing of service users and their families to be of paramount importance. Therefore, it is Herts Aid’s policy that any person applying for employment as a member of staff or as a volunteer or trustee is assessed and, where relevant, is subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check. Herts Aid reserves the right to decline employment or a volunteer position if any information on the Disclosure could endanger or compromise the safety or wellbeing of service users. It is Herts Aid’s policy that all staff and volunteers must have received a satisfactory CRB check before they will be allowed to work unsupervised with service users.
These guidance notes have been included to provide information and answer any questions you may have about the Disclosure check.
What is a Disclosure?
1. A Disclosure is a document containing information held by the police and specified government departments. Its specific purpose is to help organisations make more informed decisions when recruiting people into positions of trust. Disclosures are provided by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), an executive agency of the Home Office and, by using this Disclosure service, Herts Aid can check the background of applicants to ensure that they do not have a history that would make them unsuitable for a particular post.
2. Disclosures cannot be obtained by members of the public and are only available to organisations whose professions, offices, work and occupations are listed in the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
3. Part V of the Police Act 1997 makes provision for three different types of disclosure: Basic, Standard & Enhanced. It is the Herts Aid’s policy not to request Basic disclosures. Standard Disclosures are primarily for posts that involve working with children or vulnerable adults. Enhanced Disclosures are for posts involving a far greater degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults, such that the work will involve regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of such people.
4. Standard and Enchanced Disclosures contain the following;
• details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands & warnings held on the Police National Computer (PNC)
If the position involves working with children or vulnerable adults and the relevant boxes have been marked on the application form to indicate this, the Disclosure can contain
• Information from the Protection of Children Act List (PoCA);
• Information from the Protection of Vulnerable Adults List (POVA);
• Information held by the DfES under Section 142 of the Education Act 2002 of those considered unsuitable for working with (or banned from working with) children (formerly List 99).
Will a criminal record prevent me from being able to work with Herts Aid?
5. Herts Aid’s recruitment is based on individual skills, qualifications and experience and we aim to promote equality of opportunity for all. Herts Aid welcomes applications from a diverse range of individuals including those with previous convictions.
6. Criminal record information is seen as one tool within the overall recruitment process. Having a criminal conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from involvement/employment. This will depend on the circumstances and background of the offence(s).
7. The Charity undertakes not to discriminate unfairly on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed, and only convictions considered by the Charity to be relevant to the work will be taken into account.
8. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Code of Practice for Registered Persons and Other Recipients of Disclosure Information will govern the Charity’s conduct using Disclosure, tohelp prevent abuse of the system. This Code of Practice is available on the CRB website (www.crb.gov.uk) or we can supply you with a copy, on request.
How will I know which level of Disclosure is required?
9. Upon receipt of satisfactory references you will be informed of the relevant level of Disclosure that is required for the post (i.e. Standard or Enhanced).
How do I apply for a Disclosure?
10. Herts Aid will send you a paper Disclosure Application Form to complete, accomapnied by guidance on how to complete the form.
Can I refuse to apply for a Disclosure?
11. Yes. However, Herts Aid may choose to withdraw the offer of a position.
I already have a Disclosure, can I use it again?
12. Herts Aid may accept a previous Disclosure, but this is at our discretion and we may ask for another disclosure to be done.
Do I have to pay for my Disclosure?
13. Herts Aid will cover all costs relating to the Disclosure application fee. If you are a volunteer, the CRB will issue the Disclosure free of charge.
NB: A volunteer is defined by the CRB as “a person who is engaged in any activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travelling and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than, or in addition to, close relatives”.
What information do I need to give?
14. As part of the Disclosure check, you will be asked to provide certain details on a Disclosure Application Form. You are also asked to supply original documentary evidence relating to those details, to help verify the information on the form, relating to your true identity and correct current address. The type of details requested on the form include your full name and any other name that you may have been known by; addresses where you have lived during the past five years; your date and place of birth; your national insurance number; and other information such as passport/driving licence details. This is not a complete list, and the documents you are asked to supply will depend upon the details you provided.
15. Once completed, the Disclsoure Application Form is sent to the CRB for processing. The processing includes searches that the CRB undertake (see paragraph 4) and any resulting information revealed in those searches (or ‘none’ if nothing applies) is known as the Disclosure.
Who will receive my Disclosure?
16. A copy of the Disclosure is sent to Herts Aid. We will provide you with a copy upon request.
How do I know that the information contained on my Disclosure will remain confidential?
17. No personal details will be shared with any person outside of Herts Aid without your express permission. Any umbrella body employed by Herts Aid to conduct the Disclosure must comply with the CRB Code of Practice. This Code of Practice is there to make sure the whole process works fairly and that any information revealed is treated fairly and securely. Also, the CRB is committed to compliance with the Data Protection Act. This means that any personal information that you submit will be protected. Under the provisions of the Code, sensitive personal information must be handled and stored appropriately and must be kept for only as long as it is necessary. The Code is published on the CRB website (www.crb.gov.uk).
18 In addition, Herts Aid operates a strict Confidentality Policy. A copy is available on request.
What if things go wrong?
19. The CRB has established a comprehensive complaints process and as part of their commitment to provide a high standard of customer service will always deal promptly with all enquiries and problems.
Can I challenge the information on my Disclosure if it is incorrect?
20. Yes. If you think that any information contained on your Disclosure is incorrect please contact the person to whom you sent your completed Disclosure Application Form. We will then assist you in following this up.
21. If you prefer, you can raise dispute directly with the CRB Disputes team by phoning 0870 90 90 778. However, it is important that you notify the manager of Herts Aid that you have raised such a dispute, to ensure that Herts Aid policies are adhered to and to support you with your dispute if so required.
How long will Disclosures be valid?
22. Each Disclosure will show the date on which it was printed. Disclosures do not carry a pre-determined period of validity because a conviction or other matter could be recorded against the subject of the Disclosure at any time after it is issued.
Further Information
If you would like more information about CRB or its Disclosure service why not visit their website http://www.crb.gov.uk/ or call on Tel. 0870 90 90 811, or contact Herts Aid.