Criminal Records Checking Service

1. Criminal Records Checking Service "Gaddum Centre celebrating 177 years of work in Greater Manchester" A dedicated service for Manchester’s voluntary sector

2. Background Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks • People who work with defined vulnerable people/groups are required to be assessed as suitable to do so before starting the work by their employers • One tool to assist with this is by checking who they say they are and conducting a CRB check on them • Some individuals are barred automatically from working with vulnerable people (on barred lists) • Others have a conviction history or have information held on them by the police that needs to be scrutinised before making a suitability decision

3. Background Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks • The Criminal Records Bureau was set up in 2002 as a result of recommendations in the Police Act 1997 • Registered bodies are organisation allowed to conduct CRB checks on qualifying individuals • From September 10th 2012 people can be checked at an enhanced level and against the barred lists at just enhanced level, standard level or basic level – this is dependant on their role (based on 2 pieces of legislation) • Applicants must have their identities verified as part of a CRB check

4. Services Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks • CRB checks for paid employees cost a fee (volunteers are free – dependant on definition) • Registered bodies that conduct CRB checks for other organisations are called Umbrella Bodies • Most Umbrella Bodies charge an administration fee for processing CRB applications this is on top of the CRB fees • Additional services vary from Umbrella Bodies – like conviction advice, online guidance, training etc……

5. Services – CRB Manchester Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks • Free volunteer (paper process) CRB checks for all organisations signed up to Manchester Volunteer Centre (low costs for electronic applications and validation checks) • Free training on CRB processes and Identity checking • Competitive rates for paid employee CRB checks • Access to fast and cheap electronic application process • Advice on disclosure interpretation

6. Services – CRB Manchester Safe Recruitment Process • Free training on Safe Recruitment Best Practice • Expertise and links to both Vulnerable Adult and Children’s Safeguarding bodies • Access to online guidance and policy templates • Access to advice on decision making in Safe Recruitment and Safe Employment legislation • Consultancy on Safe Recruitment development • Up to date information, news and networking

7. Future Protection of Freedoms Bill 2012 • One central organisation Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) • Development of portable CRB certificate system • Movement of disclosure certificate belonging to individual rather than employing organisation? • Note of caution! It only takes one incident to adjust the direction of change

8. Contact – CRB Manchester E-Mail: crb@gaddumcentre.co.uk Web: www.crbmanchester.co.uk Tel No. 0161 214 3923