What is a CRB disclosure and police check?

The role of the CRB in the words of the home secretary.

“The role of the Criminal Records Bureau is to reduce the risk of abuse by ensuring that those who are unsuitable are not able to work with children and vulnerable adults”

The Home Secretary

What is the Criminal Records Bureau?

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is an executive agency of the Home Office, established in 2002 to provide organizations in England & Wales employing persons in positions of trust with a streamlined mechanism to assist their recruitment process.
A Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure (CRB disclosure) is an investigation into a person’s criminal history carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau.

What will a CRB disclosure find?

Any criminal convictions within the UK only, including those that would normally be considered 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1977.
Whether the applicant is on 'List 99' & therefore banned from teaching.
Whether the applicant is on the Protection of Children Act List & has therefore been banned from working with children in a childcare role.
Whether the applicant is subject to a Disqualification Order following a conviction for certain criminal offences.
Any other information the police consider to be relevant, this could include the fact that the applicants own family has been subject to a child protection investigation.

What does this mean for childcarers?

A childcarer should have completed or be willing to complete a CRB disclosure.
CRB disclosures can take up to 16 weeks as the Home Office is inundated with requests for checks.
Criminal record disclosures cost £55.
CRB disclosures only show a person’s UK records.
Non UK childcarers should be able to provide a police check from their country of origin or the country they most recently lived in. A police check from another country may not check the same records as a CRB disclosure.

For further information please visit: www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk

Can I refine my search to find candidates with a CRB or Police Check?

Yes, childcarers registered with www.findababysitter.com will disclose whether or not he or she already holds a CRB disclosure or Police Check.

You can refine your search on Findababysitter.com to see results for candidates that have indicated they have a CRB disclosure or Police Check. Select "CRB Check" in your search requirements (bottom left) or look for a pink tick on candidate profiles.

You should always ask to see the original documents.

Ask candidates to bring original copies of all relevant documents when you interview them.