How Criminal Records Bureau Checks Work

CRB Checks During the Recruitment Process

Mar 14, 2009 Asa Ghaffar

Criminal Records Bureau checks are regularly used during the recruitment process for financial jobs or when working with vulnerable adults. Find out how CRB checks work.

A Criminal Records Bureau check is a fundamental requirement for many individuals seeking to work in Financial sector or legal jobs. They are also common-place for those hoping to work with young children or vulnerable adults. CRB checks now form an integral part of the recruitment process so understanding how they work and why they take place is important.

What is a Criminal Records Bureau Check?

Employees will normally be asked early on in the recruitment process if they have any unspent criminal convictions. Individuals that have served a prison sentence of less than two and a half years and don't re-offend will now have a spent criminal conviction. A Criminal Records Bureau Check is a way for an employer to validate that what they have been told is fully accurate.

Standard Disclosures

This is a basic check on the a centralised police computer. The objective is to check for current convictions, spent convictions, reprimands, cautions, warnings and other miscellaneous information held. Some applications will also warrant checks on the protection of children and the protection of vulnerable Adults lists as part of the recruitment process.

Enhanced Disclosures

An enhanced disclosure is very similar to a standard disclosure, except for the fact that the police will now release any information held. An enhanced disclosure is normally only applied for when that person is seeking a position of authority in respect of caring for vulnerable adults or children.

Why Can Only 3rd Parties Get a CRB Check?

CRB checks can only be requested by third parties, not individuals. The reason for this is the only time a Criminal Records Bureau check can take place is when a role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, it is possible to get a Subject Access Request from a local police station for £10. This will show any criminal convictions on a personal record.

The majority of people requiring a CRB check will already be aware if they have any unspent criminal convictions. Whilst it isn't possible for individuals to get a Criminal Records Bureau check, a Subject Access Request can be attained. This will reveal if there is any information held on the central police computer that will prevent an employee being approved for a specific job.

Those that found this article of interest may wish to discover whether they have an illegal credit card or unenforceable loan agreement. If a credit agreement isn't legally enforceable, the debt can be written-off without affecting creating a bad credit rating.

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Criminal Records Bureau

Enhanced Disclosure