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CRB Audit of our Procedures (June 2007)
We have recently undergone a compliance audit of our procedures by the CRB.
The good news is that only 2% of the Disclosure Applications we’ve sent to
the CRB have been found to have errors. Generally, across all Registered and Umbrella
Bodies, the error rate is above 20%. So we’d like to say thank you to all
our clients – your diligence in checking forms and id documents avoids delays
to applications and saves effort in chasing up missing or incorrect information
later.
The CRB have asked us to provide more clarity of the requirements in the following
areas, and we’ve quoted their recommendations below.
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Timing of Disclosure ID Checks
It is strongly recommended by the CRB that a disclosure is requested prior
to an applicant commencing employment. The CRB therefore advise that Disclosure
identity checks are conducted as early as possible in the recruitment process.
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Storage of Disclosure documents
Disclosures must be stored in secure, lockable, non-portable cabinets, separate
from other personnel files, with access restricted to those involved in the recruitment
decision.
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CRB Announce Price Freeze for 2007 (Feb 07)
The CRB have announced that they have achieved self – funding status as
a result of efficiency savings and their fees will consequently be frozen for
2007.
APCS fees will also be frozen, so the prices we quote will not change during
2007.
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Volunteer Status (Feb 07)
The CRB is committed to providing free checks for volunteers and some 20% of
disclosures are issued to volunteers. However, some volunteer applications are
still being submitted for posts for which a fee should be due.
Registered Bodies must check carefully that free applications fall within the
strict definition of volunteer status, otherwise a retrospective fee may be charged.
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Applications Waiting for Police Checking (Aug 06)
In July the CRB introduced a new process for the handling of progress enquiries
where the Disclosure is held up at the police checking stage of the Enhanced Disclosure
process for 60 days or more. The CRB has agreed new service level agreements with
the police forces which include a number of targets:
- 75% of checks must be completed in 10 days
- 95% of checks must be completed in 14 days
- 99% of checks must be completed in 25 days
- 100% of checks must be completed in 60 days
Current performance against targets can be found on the CRB Website at:
http://www.disclosure.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=3790
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CRB Checks in Schools (Feb 06)
In view of recent media coverage about List 99 and checks on staff in schools,
the CRB have issued a statement regarding the checks they carry out, an extract
from which follows :
" A CRB check involves an automatic search of the Police National computer.
This would reveal if a person has been convicted, cautioned, reprimanded or given
a warning for a criminal offence, including those that relate to sexual offences.
If the position for which the CRB check is required involves working with children
or vulnerable adults, the CRB also check List 99, the POCA list and the POVA list.
For Enhanced CRB checks, the CRB contact police forces and request a search of
information held locally. This would include a search of the Sex Offenders Register."
"….it is worth noting that in all the cases reported in the media,
the CRB check revealed all the information on which a decision to recruit, or
not, was made. This included details of the convictions and cautions that led
to the person being placed on the Sex Offender's Register, and any other relevant
information that was held by police."
The full text of the statement can be found on the CRB's website at www.disclosure.gov.uk
under the Latest news item: CRB
Checks in Schools )
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Volunteers - Students and School Pupils on Work Placement
(Dec05)
School pupils aged 14 to 16 on short period work placement as an educational
requirement are entitled to be categorised as volunteers and receive reduced price
disclosures. Those aged 17 or over undertaking work placement as part of their
course are not categorised as volunteers. This is because they are considered
to be doing the work placement for gain - course credits, a qualification, or
money.
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CRB Audit Visit (Apr 04)
We have had an audit visit from the CRB compliance team. We have met their
stringent requirements.
They have asked us to remind existing and potential customers about the following
:
1. Disclosures should be stored in a locked cabinet, independently of
personnel files.
2. Disclosures should be retained for no more than 6 months and then
destroyed. Ideally they should be destroyed after a recruitment decision is taken.
You only need to record the disclosure number, type and date as evidence that
a disclosure has been obtained. No conviction information from the disclosures
should be stored. For positions regulated by the National Care Standards Commission,
you should retain disclosures for 12 months, or until an inspection takes place,
whichever is the sooner.
3. Employers may only seek Disclosures for employees whose job involves
working with children or having regular contact with vulnerable adults. A person
who regularly cares for, trains, supervises or is in sole charge of children or
vulnerable adults requires an Enhanced Disclosure. Otherwise, a Standard Disclosure
is required.
4. Employers must abide by the CRB Code of Practice regarding Disclosures.
This covers such things as treating applicants with a criminal record fairly,
and the confidentiality of Disclosure information. They must have a Recruitment
Policy which states their obligations under the Code of Practice. The CRB Code
of Practice can be found on their website, www.disclosure.gov.uk
under Publications.
We provide our clients with the CRB Code of Practice, a sample Recruitment
Policy, and the CRB policy on safe storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure
information and can e-mail further copies on request.
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Work Placements are not 'volunteers' (Apr 04)
The CRB have advised us that students seeking work placements are not classed
as volunteers and are not entitled to the reduced price disclosure. If a student
is taking up a work placement involving working with children or vulnerable adults
then they require a disclosure, regardless of age.
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Disclosures for Self Employed Individuals (Feb 04)
The CRB have told us we cannot process a disclosure for a self employed individual.
In other words, you cannot obtain a disclosure on yourself. If you work through
an Agency, or membership organisation then that is acceptable - so long as we
can send the employer's copy to the agency or organisation who will assess your
suitability for the work.
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