BASC Child Protection Policy and Procedures

Criminal Records Bureau - Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a CRB check take?

The CRB aims to process 93% of standard checks in two weeks and 90% of enhanced checks in four weeks.

Why is my CRB check taking a long time to complete?

An enhanced CRB check involves an additional check over and above those carried out for a standard check. This is a check with the police of their records that are not held on the police national computer. The police need to make sure that they have carried out a comprehensive and thorough search of their records and will not sacrifice the accuracy of their checks for speed. As a result some checks do take longer than the anticipated 4 weeks.

Are CRB checks compulsory?

The CRB itself does not make its checks compulsory; however, other government legislation may make them compulsory in certain circumstances e.g. for those working in schools and care homes.

Does my organisation need to register with the CRB to use CRB checks?

No, organisations especially those who have a requirement for a small number of checks per year should use the services of an umbrella body.

What is an umbrella body?

Umbrella bodies are registered bodies who countersign applications on behalf of organisations who have not chosen to register in their own right.
An organisation can register as an umbrella body even if it is not likely to ask exempted questions itself, but wishes to countersign applications on behalf of others that are entitled to do so (and who have chosen not to register themselves). However, if an umbrella body itself is not entitled to ask exempted questions then it may not seek disclosures for its own staff.

Do I need to register with Disclosure Scotland as well as the CRB?

If your main business is based in England and Wales, the answer is, not any more. Virtually all Scottish convictions are held on the Police National Computer which the CRB can search and if an applicant has resided in Scotland in the in the past five years the Scottish forces will be contacted to search their local records.

If the CRB can search for Scottish convictions, why is there a need to use the Disclosure Scotland service?

The Disclosure Scotland service is used for someone who resides and works solely in Scotland.

How much does a CRB check cost?

If you are in paid employment the current cost of an enhanced disclosure is £44. If you are a volunteer, there is no charge. BASC does not charge its members an administration fee.

What is the CRB’s definition of a “Volunteer”?

The CRB will issue a Disclosure “free of charge” if the person for whom a Disclosure is required satisfies the following criteria:
‘ a volunteer is 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’.

My voluntary organisation has both paid and voluntary workers, can I get free checks for them all?

No, only for the people that fit the CRB’s definition of a volunteer.

How long are CRB checks valid for?

CRB checks have no period of validity as the information on the Disclosure is a snap shot in time at the point that the checks were completed.

I have been asked to apply for a CRB check, but I have already been checked, can I reuse my old check?

It is BASC’s policy to obtain their own checks as the information on the certificate is only as valid as the date it was printed.

As an organisation can I keep my copy of the Disclosure indefinitely?

No. Once a recruitment decision (or other relevant decision - e.g. for regulatory or licensing purposes) has been made, an organisation cannot retain their copy of a Disclosure for longer than is necessary - in general, this should be for a maximum of six months.

Where can I find information and advice about my criminal record?

The Nacro Resettlement Plus Helpline 020 7840 6464 can provide you with information and advice about:

• Whether an individual may have a criminal record. This is based purely on information you provide – Nacro does not have access to the NPC or any other information.
• Whether a conviction is spent or unspent.
• Whether an individual’s record is likely to be eligible to be weeded or not, and how to do this.
• How you can get a copy of your own criminal record.
• How you can reassure potential employers about your criminal record.

Will the Disclosure Service prevent ex-offenders from finding work?

All registered bodies agree to abide by the Code of Practice and this states that: "Recipients of Disclosure information shall observe guidance issued or supported by the CRB on the use of Disclosure information - and, in particular, recipients of Disclosure information shall not unfairly discriminate against the subject of Disclosure information on the basis of conviction or other details revealed."

Is only criminal record information available from the CRB?

No. The CRB also acts as the central access point for checks of List 99 (held by the Department for Education and Skills) and of the POCA list (held by the Department of Health).

I am adopted; do I have to give my previous name?

If you were adopted before the age of ten the answer is no. This is because the age of criminal responsibility is deemed to be ten years; therefore there is no possibility that an individual could be the subject of a criminal record in a name that was used up until that age. If you were adopted after the age of ten we need you to provide us with your previous name(s) as part of the authentication process.

What does ‘vulnerable adult’ mean?

A vulnerable adult for the purposes of an enhanced check is a person aged 18 or over who receives services of a type listed in paragraph 1) below and in consequence of a condition of a type listed in paragraph 2) below, has a disability of a type listed at 3) below.

1) The services are:

a) accommodation and nursing or personal care in a care home,
b) personal care or support to live independently in his or her own home,
c) any services provided by an independent hospital, independent clinic,
independent medical agency or National Health Service body,
d) social care services; or
e) any services provided in an establishment catering for a person with
learning difficulties.

2) The conditions are:

a) a learning or physical disability,
b) a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an
addiction to alcohol or drugs; or
c) a reduction in physical or mental capacity.

3) The disabilities are:

a) a dependency upon others in the performance of, or a requirement for
assistance in the performance of, basic physical functions,
b) severe impairment in the ability to communicate with others, or
c) impairment in a person's ability to protect him or herself from assault,
abuse or neglect.

Are ‘estranged’ parents required to undergo disclosure?

Unless there is a specific order against the estranged parent, there is no mandatory requirement to undergo disclosure.

How will the new Child Protection Act impact on the disclosure service?

Other than making the service more secure, there is no significant impact that we are aware of.

Much of the above information has been extracted from the CRB website. There are many more questions and answers available from this source.

Child Protection – Useful Links and Contacts

The Criminal Records Bureau website
Information line: 0870 90 90 811

Disclosure Scotland website
Helpline: 0870 609 6006

Nacro website – a charity specialising in the recruitment of ex-offenders
Tel 020 7582 6500

NSPCC website – a charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children
020 7825 2500

CPSU website – the Child Protection in Sport Unit is run by the NSPCC in conjunction with Sport England
0116 234 7278/7280