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The Application Process
What is the CRB?
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is an Executive Agency of the
Home Office that helps organisations make more informed recruitment
and licensing decisions by offering access to police and government
records.
Who needs a CRB Check?
If you’re applying for a job or voluntary position that involves
working with young people or vulnerable adults then you could be
asked to apply for a CRB check.
Note: If you are unsure why you need to be CRB
checked ask the person who asked you to apply to explain. A full
list of the professions, offices, employments, work and occupations
that can be CRB checked can be found at www.crb.gov.uk/eligibility
in the ‘Disclosure Access Category codes’.
How do I get a CRB check?
Once you have made it successfully through your interview or
completed your licence application, your prospective employer or
organisation will provide you with the CRB application form.
Note: Only organisations entitled to ask an
exempted question under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
(Exceptions) Order 1975 are eligible to request CRB checks. These
organisations must either be registered directly with the CRB or
apply through an organisation that is already registered (an
Umbrella Body).
Filling in your application form
Make sure you fill in the form carefully and accurately. Most
people find it easy and quick to complete. There are guidance notes
to help you and there’s even a helpline you can call on 0870 90 90
811.
Note: Before you start, you should read the
guidance notes on how to complete the form. Making mistakes, will
delay your application:
- Write clearly
- Use BLACK INK
- Provide all your names, including your middle
names
- Provide all addresses where you have lived in
the past 5 years
Checking the form
When you have completed the form, pass it back to the person who
asked you to complete it. You will also need to show them a number
of documents to prove your identity e.g. passport, driving licence,
birth certificate, utility bills.
Note: Do not send the form to the CRB at this
stage, as the person who asked you to apply will need to check and
validate it first. The full list of acceptable identity documents
can be found at www.crb.gov.uk/id
Dispatching the form
Your employer will return your identity documents to you and
send your form off to the CRB for processing.
Note: Address: CRB, PO Box 110, Liverpool, L69
3EF
Arrival at CRB
Your form will arrive at the CRB offices in Liverpool.
Preliminary checks
The CRB receives an average of 80,000 forms a week and each one
is given a preliminary check for errors or omissions. At this
point, your form may be returned if it has not been completed
clearly or correctly.
Note: Around 8% of all forms are not completed
correctly and have to be returned. Make sure yours is not one of
them! The most common mistakes are:
- Mandatory fields not being completed
- Missing middle names
- Missing addresses covering the last 5
years
- Not providing all previous names
- Wrong coloured ink – it must be
BLACK
- Insufficient Identity documents
recorded
- Forms not being signed
- If unsure read the guidance notes or give us
all call on 0870 90 90 811
Format conversion
Once your form has been checked, the details are transferred
electronically onto the CRB’s secure computer system.
Your data
Within 24 hours of your form reaching the CRB, your details are
held electronically by the CRB and the detailed searches can now
start.
Checking process begins
The first search is against the information held on the Police
National Computer (PNC). This part of the process takes up to
10 days.
Note: The PNC holds all convictions, cautions,
reprimands and warnings in England and Wales and most of the
relevant convictions in Scotland. Plans are being made to
supplement these records with criminal convictions from Northern
Ireland.
Narrowing down the search
The results are then compared in more detail to establish which,
if any, of the records belong to you.
In some cases, based on all the information available, the CRB
cannot confidently make this decision. In these cases, the CRB will
ask you to provide fingerprints. These will then be compared
to those on held against the record to see if they are, or not, the
same person.
Search of ISA barred lists
The new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) barred lists
will be searched to check if applicants are barred from working
with children or vulnerable adults
Note: The ISA holds two barred lists, those
who are barred from working with children and those who are
barred from working with vulnerable adults. A check of these lists
is only available with an enhanced check and only when the
Registered Body has requested this
Further searches for Enhanced checks
If you are applying for an Enhanced check, your details are now
sent electronically to the Police so they can check their locally
held records. The police aim to complete 95% of these within 14
days.
Note: The CRB can ask the the police in England, Wales,
Scotland Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Isles to
carry out searches of their records held locally.
Local police checks
Your details may be sent to a number of different forces. This
will depend on a number of different factors, for example, if you
have lived at a number of different addresses in the last five
years.
Your data returns to CRB
Once the Police have finished their checks, the results are
transferred electronically and securely back to the CRB.
Safeguarding your information
When all the checks are complete your disclosure is printed. The
printing process is highly secure in order to protect your personal
information.
Dispatch
Your CRB check is then dispatched. One copy is sent to you and
another is sent to the person who countersigned your application
form.
Note: The CRB aims to issue 90% of Enhanced checks in 28
days and Standard checks in 10 days.
Your CRB check
When your employer or organisation receives the results of the
CRB check, they will be able to make their final recruitment
decision...
... and you can enjoy your new position!
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