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On this page we are aiming to provide you with some general advice and guidance to some CRB related matters including covering those topics which are our most Frequently Asked Questions.

Who is an Eligible Volunteer?

The CRB have clear guidance on who is eligible for a free CRB check. The defined criteria is:

" 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".

Any student placements or work experience do not count as a voluntary check, as this will benefit the individual in terms of experience or qualifications.

If the check does qualify as a voluntary position you must ensure that the volunteer box is clearly crossed on our CRB1 form and that you are a descriptive as possible with the role title i.e. volunteer helper is not acceptable, voluntary school reader or chaperone for children in performance is more what you should be using.

Enhanced vs. Standard

There are two types of disclosure available to apply for, a standard or an enhanced check. It is important to understand the differences in the two checks and apply for the right level.

Standard Disclosures
All standard disclosures contain details of current and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer.

Please note: standard checks no longer include a check of the old or new barred lists, therefore if you are working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults, you may now be entitled to an Enhanced CRB check.

Enhanced Disclosures
Enhanced checks are for posts involving work in a regulated activity for a regulated activity provider with children or vulnerable adults. In general, the type of work will involve regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of such people. Examples include a Teacher, Scout or Guide leader.

Enhanced checks contain the same information as Standard checks but with the addition of a check of the new barred lists if requested and any locally held police force information considered relevant to the job role, by Chief Police Officer(s).

Further guidance can be found on the CRB Website

How much do CRB checks cost?

The CRB charge a fee of £26.00 for a standard check and £44.00 for an enhanced check and an ISA Adult First request is charged at £6.00.
The Records Disclosure Service will charge external customers a handling fee to cover admin costs.

Are CRB Checks Portable?

In most cases existing CRB checks are no longer portable between organisations or jobs and therefore a new CRB check should be applied for. The exceptions to this are as follows (proving the right level disclosure has been applied for in the first instance):

-Supply Teachers*
-Casual, temporary or agency staff*
-DCC staff moving to a similar position in the same area of work if they have had no breaks in service

*In the cases where these are external staff working within DCC you must ensure you have had confirmation from their employer that the appropriate check has been carried out and if it was a positive disclosure DCC will need to see it and make a decision on the placement in line with in-house processes.

Some excellent guidance can be found on the CRB website

How long will it take for the check to be returned?

The Records Disclosure Team will process the application on the day of receipt and usually send it onto the CRB in Liverpool the same day by recorded delivery (providing there were no errors). The turn around time at the CRB end is typically 10 days for standard checks and 4 weeks for enhanced checks and they meet around 90% in this timeframe. The types of delays which occur are often when there is an outstanding query on the form, when people have had many different addresses within the 5 year history or when enhanced checks reach the local police force stage.

Who is eligible to be CRB checked?

It is an offence to request a CRB check for a position which does not fall under the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. To view the types of work, employment or professions on which you can legally obtain a CRB check please go to the Disclosure Access Category Codes guidance on the CRB website

Does a Foreign Applicant require a CRB check?

Yes.
You should ensure that any person from another country is CRB checked in line with all applicants for those positions which require a CRB check before they start work. Although the CRB cannot access police records from overseas a check is required to ensure the person has disclosed any criminal background whilst spending time in this country – at present or any other time they may have visited. You must also ensure however that you see either a police check from their own country or a certificate of good conduct, which you may need to have translated yourself. There is further guidance available on the CRB website

Please make sure that the full 5 year address history is completed with all address details for the country they have come from and that FOREIGN NATIONAL or NOT YET ISSUED (if they are waiting for one) is entered in the National Insurance number field. For information - Oversees passports or driving licenses cannot be used in the evidence groups and address identity of their residence in the UK must be provided before a check can be applied for.