CRB FAQs
Who are the Criminal Records Bureau?
How long does a CRB check last?
How long does it take to get a CRB check?
Can I Fast Track My CRB Check Application Form?
Can I apply for a CRB Check if I am self employed?
Can I apply for a CRB check as an Individual?
What advice is there for completing a CRB Application form correctly?
What is the difference between a basic, standard and enhanced crb check?
Working with Vulnerable Adults-What is an Adult First Check?
How much does a CRB check cost from Personnel Checks?
Can I apply for a CRB Check for my Nanny?
Can I obtain a crb check as a Tutor?
What is a Disclosure Scotland check?
What documentation do I require?
What information is disclosed on a crb check?
What are the most common mistakes made on a CRB Check form?
How do I get a CRB Check for a Personal Licence to sell alcohol?
What type of CRB Check can Father Christmas have?
ISA FAQs
What is the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)?
Why has the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) been introduced?
Where can I find an online safeguarding course?
What does being 'ISA-registered' mean?
Who will have to become ISA registered?
How much will registration with ISA cost?
How long will it take to become ISA registered?
Is ISA Registration transferable between jobs?
Will volunteers have to pay the ISA registration fee?
What is the difference between ISA and CRB?
What will happen if employers do not check if their staff are ISA registered?
VBS FAQs
Who runs the Vetting and Barring Scheme?
How do I apply for the Vetting and Barring Scheme?
Will ISA registration be constantly monitored?
How do I check to see if my employee is ISA registered on line?
Where can I find an online safeguarding course?
Who runs the Vetting and Barring Scheme?
The Vetting and Barring Scheme is run in partnership with the Independent Safeguarding Authority, The Criminal Records Bureau and Access Northern Ireland. The ISA makes the barring decisions and the CRB administers the scheme.
How do I apply for the Vetting and Barring Scheme
To apply to the VBS an individual must submit an application to become ISA registered - this can be done through Personnel Checks 01254 355688
Any relevant information revealed by the CRB check from the police or referrals from other sources, such as previous employers or professional bodies, will be passed to the ISA for consideration. The ISA will use all relevant information to decide whether the applicant should be placed on a Barred List. if there is no information the CRB will inform the applicant that they are ISA registered.
Individuals placed on the ISA Barred Lists will have the right to make representations against the decision and also to the Care Standards Tribunal except where they have committed a serious offence.
Will ISA registration be constantly monitored?
Yes, all ISA registered individuals are subject to continuous monitoring. This means that the ISA decision not to bar them could be reviewed in the light of new police or referral information. Where this happens the ISA will notify the employer or service provider concerned, wherever they have registered an interest.
How do I check to see if my employee is ISA registered online?
Subsequent employers or service providers will be able to check an individual's status online free of charge. In most cases they will also be able to seek Enhanced Disclosure (which will contain information on any criminal records) from the CRB. As is currently the case, certain employers will be required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure.
What is the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)?
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), sponsored by the Home Office.
They act as the decision making element of the Vetting and Barring Scheme.
The ISA will maintain the two new barred lists, the Childrens' List and Vulnerable Adults' Lists. These new lists will replace the current POCA (protection of children, POVA, (protection of vulnerable adults) and List 99 lists from the 12th October 2009.
Why has the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) been introduced?
The purpose of the ISA is to provide further protection of children and the vulnerable and it will become a crime for a barred individual to seek or undertake such work.
What does being 'ISA-registered' mean?
The information held demonstrates whether the person poses a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults. A person's registration status is continuously monitored and if any new information such as a relevant caution or conviction, or information from an employer comes to light, the ISA is informed, they will re-assess the person's potential risk to vulnerable groups and they may chose to bar the individual.
ISA registered does not mean that someone is 'safe' or has been 'cleared to work' that the ISA has scrutinised all information held on them, not least because new information may be coming in all the time.
Who will have to become ISA registered?
Those currently working with children and or vulnerable adults will have up to five years to become ISA registered. Applicants will apply to become ISA registered through the CRB, with new application forms allowing both checks to be introduced in 2010.
How much will registration with ISA cost?
The cost of registering with the ISA will be a one off fee which will include the CRB check and will be £87.85 in England and Wales.
How long will it take to become ISA registered?
The CRB is working to a standard whereby applicants for ISA registration will become registered within seven working days.
Where applicants have a relevant conviction, caution, warning or reprimand, the CRB will send the information to the ISA who will then take a closer look at the applicant and their suitability to work with vulnerable groups.
Is ISA Registration transferable between jobs?
ISA registration involves a one off application fee, and will apply to any future setting where the person is working with children and or vulnerable adults so is transferable between jobs.
Will volunteers have to pay the ISA registration fee?
No, not if they only work as unpaid volunteers. But if at some subsequent point they take up paid employment in regulated activity, a fee would be payable at that stage.
What is the difference between ISA and CRB?
The difference between the ISA and the CRB is that the ISA aims to prevent the most unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults by making it a legal requirement to be registered and the CRB provide an individual's full criminal record and other information to assess an individual's suitability for a post or position.
What will happen if employers do not check if their staff are ISA registered?
There will be tough penalties for those employers who fail in their responsibility to carry out the necessary checks or recruit people who are not ISA registered [or who are barred]
Employers who knowingly permit a barred individual to engage in regulated activity face a maximum penalty of up to six months in prison plus a fine.
It will be a criminal offence for a barred individual even to seek a job in regulated activity, again punishable with a sentence of up to five years' imprisonment plus a fine.
No. ISA simply provides a quick and easy check to ensure there is no known risk of harm. It does not give employers the conviction history and other details needed to make an informed recruitment decision.
ISA will be a legal minimum requirement and a quick reassurance prior to a full CRB and other relevant checks (references, CV, etc.)
More information on the Vetting and Barring Scheme
Who are the Criminal Records Bureau?
The Criminal Records Bureau or ‘CRB’ was conceived under Part V of the Police Act of 1997 largely in response to public concern about the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is an Executive Agency of the Home Office set-up to help organisations make safer recruitment decisions.
For more information on the CRB please click here
How long does a CRB check last?
A CRB disclosure is not valid for any specific timescale.
The decision as to if an employer wishes to re - check any employees disclosure is at the discretion of the employer.
Please note that once the Vetting & Barring Scheme is fully implemented, an individual who is placed on the scheme may not be required to undertake any further CRB check, however, this is again at the discretion of the employer.
How long does it take to get a CRB check?
Once the application form has been completed and been received by Personnel Checks each crb application will be processed as soon as possible.
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will always endeavour to return the CRB certificates at the earliest opportunity but cannot provide exact dates for completion. Personnel Checks immediately forward any completed disclosures they receive back from the CRB to the organisation who has requested the information.
See how we compare on our processing times for crb check applications
Can I Fast Track my CRB Check Application Form?
Companies often ask if there is a way to “fastrack” their CRB applications, to ensure that your applications are processed quickly and without query please read the following guidelines:
- Take advantage of our online application service, this is a much quicker option than postal applications
- Take a few minutes to read our guidance notes to ensure you fully understand how the forms need to be completed and who completes what.
- Use black ink only
- Do not use tippex, write “N/A” or cross through parts that are not relevant
- Ensure all details are fully completed and dates are in correct format MM/YYYY
- Remember to include any previous names used and the dates used from and to
- Your applicant needs to sign the application
- Ensure Sections W & X are completed
- Ensure that all “registered body boxes” are crossed by the verifier
- Enclose additional address continuation and ID continuation sheets if applicable
- Use our precheck telephone service if unsure before returning your applications
By following the above steps your application will reach us with no errors and we will be able to submit for processing the same day we receive it. Allow plenty of time for your application to be processed.
Once your applications are submitted to the CRB they are all treated individually and the processing time takes various factors into consideration: applicants name, address history and with regards to the Enhanced check how quickly your local police forces are in completing their searches.
Remember to keep a note of your Form Reference number which is in the top right hand corner of the application, together with the applicants date of birth and you can track this online here.
Enhanced CRB checks are charged and available free for volunteers. Personnel Checks charge a small administration fee for processing the forms.
If you need a CRB check for a post as a volunteer, you should consider whether the position satisfies certain criteria.
You must adhere to the definition of 'volunteer' that is contained in The Police Act 1997.
A Volunteer is qualified as 'a person engaged in an activity, which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party other than or in addition to a close relative'.
For CRB purposes it is deemed that 'unpaid' means not in receipt of any payment including remuneration, allowance, financial benefit, payment in kind, or other means of support, in relation to the activity. If the person receives any form of payment then they are not classed as a volunteer for CRB purposes.
Some payments received can be disregarded if they are for 'travel and other approved out of pocket expenses', such as traveling costs, and protective clothing. These exceptions are intended to reflect expenditure that an individual incurs on behalf of the employer in the purpose of carrying out the activity or business, and is then reimbursed for that out of pocket expense.
Working with Vulnerable Adults-What is an Adult First Check?
Adult First Check (previously referred to as a Protection of Vulnerable Adults which was formerly known as the POVA list)
Many organisations and employers that require disclosures are often unable to wait for the disclosure process to be finalised and the certificate received. Adult first checks allow an employer to priority access to a list which details any individuals who are deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults.
By accessing this information, an organisation may choose to employ an individual subject to receipt of the completed Disclosure.
Adult First Checks can only be requested in conjunction with a completed CRB application form when undertaking an enhanced level disclosure and only requested once the form has been received by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). The major benefit of this service is that the information is accessible within 72 hours of request.
Can I apply for a CRB check as an Individual?
As an individual you only qualify for a Basic Disclosure. An individual basic disclosure is a security check (termed as a "criminal conviction certificate" in Part V of the Police Act 1997) and is the lowest level of disclosure and is available to anyone for any purpose, on payment of the appropriate fee. It contains details of convictions considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 or state that there are no such convictions. This type of Disclosure is only issued to the applicant. It is not job-specific or job related and may be used more than once.
How much does a CRB check cost from Personnel Checks?
Basic Disclosure: £45.42
Standard Disclosure: £54.60
Enhanced Disclosure: £68.36
Any Voluntary Position: £18.00
Adult First Check: £17.88
All rates quoted include VAT, there is no registration fee, no set up fee, no minimum form requirement and no error fees charged. Payment information
Can I apply for a CRB Check if I am self employed?
Yes, but only a basic disclosure.
However if you form part of a business partnership or work for a limited company, your partner or a director / employee of the company may verify your identity and you qualify to obtain a standard or enhanced level CRB check.
Can I apply for a CRB Check for my Nanny?
If you employ a Nanny, as a parent you are not entitled to obtain a Criminal Record Check. There is no legal requirement to obtain the disclosure certificate. Nannies cannot apply for their own CRB check they must be presented by the employer or agency. Nanny agencies are required to obtain CRB Checks for Nannies working with children. CRB checks for Nannies
What are the most common mistakes made on a CRB Check Application Form?
Here are the top 10 reasons why CRB Application forms are rejected, resulting in the process being delayed. If you could take care and use these guidelines, then we should be able to return your completed CRB check quickily and easily.
1. Blue ink or Tippex has been used on the CRB Application Form
2. Applicants have not signed in Section E
3. Verifiers have not crossed “Registered Body” boxes in Sections A and B to confirm the id they have seen
4. Address History is incomplete – this must go back 5 years and include the month and year moved in and out
5. Applicants with the title “Mrs” or “Ms” who do not complete previous names and month and year they were used from and to
6. Incorrect Driving Licence numbers – only UK licences are acceptable and these begin with the first 5 letters of the applicants surname, followed by 6 numbers of the date of birth, followed by either 1 or 2 letters for Forename and Middle name, followed by computer generated numbers/letters
7. Middle name is missing – applicants must state this even if they don’t use it
8. Job title is missing from X61
9. Are applicants new, existing or recheck postholders re: X67
10. CRB Check forms not completed in CAPITAL letters or illegible numbers
Please remember to leave section Y on the CRB Application Form blank. We appreciate it’s really tempting to sign in the box provided but this is for Personnel Checks to sign as the registered Umbrella Body.
The only signature required on the CRB Check form is the Applicants – Thanks for your assistance.
