CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure checks

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Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure checks and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) information

NSPCC Consultancy Services

NSPCC Consultancy Services regularly receive enquiries relating to Criminal Records Bureau disclosure checks and to interpreting the results of checks undertaken by organisations.

While we are happy to advise when possible and appropriate, it may be more helpful to contact the Criminal Records Bureau (www.crb.gov.uk) directly for detailed enquiries.

About the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

The information below is taken from a number of sources, including the CRB website.

"The role of the Criminal Records Bureau is to reduce the risk of abuse by ensuring that those who are unsuitable are not able to work with children and vulnerable adults" The Home Secretary
"The CRB's aim is to help organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable to work with children or other vulnerable members of society" www.crb.gov.uk

Using the CRB Disclosure Service

Organisations who wish to use the disclosure service must register with the CRB and be accepted as a Registered Body before a disclosure check can be carried out.

After registration and acceptance, organisations must comply with the CRB Code of Practice. The Code is designed to ensure that all disclosure information provided about candidates before their appointment is handled confidentially and fairly within the organisation.

Standard and Enhanced Disclosure requests must be kept securely and should be disposed of once decisions based on them have been made. Registered organisations must also have written policies on the recruitment of ex-offenders. This is to ensure that all disclosure information is used fairly and sensibly in order to avoid unfair discrimination.

New customers

If you are an organisation that wishes to use CRB checks as part of your recruitment, licensing or appointment processes there are a number of things that you must consider:

are you entitled to ask exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 Exceptions Order 1975?
are you able to comply with the CRB's Code of Practice?

If the answer to these questions is 'yes', then you will need to consider whether you should use the services of one of CRB's Umbrella Bodies. Please note: the NSPCC is NOT an 'Umbrella Body' and therefore not able to undertake checks on behalf of other organisations.

There are a number of benefits and reasons why you should choose to access CRB checks via an Umbrella Body. These are:

the Umbrella Body acts as in interface between you and the CRB, so that you can concentrate on your own business
the Umbrella Body will administer, process and acquire the CRB check on your behalf
Umbrella Bodies are able to offer you a great deal of experience in handling and processing CRB checks that can pay dividends in ensuring that the check is completed as quickly as possible
you may only require a small number of checks per annum and cannot meet the threshold requirements or the terms for direct registration
you may not wish to pay the CRB's registration fee
you may require help and assistance in order to comply with certain obligations contained in the CRB's Code of Practice
you may lack the necessary administration resource or the relevant expertise in handling criminal record information.

Levels of CRB Disclosures

There are two types of disclosure about an individual's background that the Criminal Records Bureau can make available on request. The CRB will provide either a Standard or an Enhanced Disclosure, depending on the kind of activities that the position involves.

The Standard Disclosure applies to positions that involve regular contact with those aged under 18, or people of all ages who may be vulnerable for other reasons. Standard disclosures can also be provided for individuals entering other occupations that involve positions of trust. For example, accountancy and veterinary professions.

The Standard Disclosure will give details of:

all convictions held on central police records, including current and spent convictions (i.e. those that happened some time ago and are defined as spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974)
details of any cautions, reprimands or warnings held on the police national computer
information contained in lists held by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). This will appear in the Disclosure if (i) the job or voluntary position involves contact with children or vulnerable adults in education or health care and (ii) if the individual is listed as unsuitable to work with these groups.

The CRB will provide Enhanced Disclosures:

for posts involving a greater degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults. For example, if the post holder is regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of such people. This is the level of disclosure most likely to be sought for those working directly with children and young people.

An Enhanced Disclosure contains all the information given in a Standard Disclosure but will also contain any information that is held locally by the police.

What is portability?

Portability refers to the re-use of a CRB Disclosure, obtained for a position in one organisation and later used for another position in another organisation.

This practice is no longer endorsed by the CRB due to the risks factors involved. If you decide to accept a previously issued Disclosure you should carry out a formal risk assessment in order to fully understand the risks involved.

The overriding consideration must be the safety of those that you are there to protect - the children and the vulnerable.