CRB News
This page holds all the latest CRB related news stories.
As a result of recent Government changes, the cost of an Enhanced CRB check will increase by £8 from 6 April 2011. This is the first time that CRB fees have increased since 2006. All other fees will remain unchanged.
For more details, click www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/faqs/fee_increase.aspx
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has unveiled a new scaled back employment
vetting scheme and fundamental reform of criminal records checks.
1 Re-modelling the Vetting & Barring Scheme (VBS)
The Terms of
Reference along with the full VBS review report, can be downloaded
2 The review of the criminal records regime
In parallel with the review of the VBS, a separate but aligned review of the broader
criminal records regime was undertaken. Led by Mrs Sunita Mason, the Government's
Independent Advisor on Criminality Information Management, the first phase of that
review has focused on issues concerned with the extent and demands of pre-employment
vetting systems and the role of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), in particular,
what information it should be disclosing and to whom.
Phase one of this review has also been published and a summary of Mrs Mason's recommendations
are set out below:
Summary of Sunita Mason's criminal records regime review recommendations:
- I recommend that eligibility for criminal records checks is scaled back (recommendation
1).
- I recommend that criminal records checks should be portable (transferable) between
jobs and activities (recommendation 2).
- I recommend that the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) introduce an online system
to allow employers to check if updated information is held on an applicant (recommendation
3).
- I recommend that a new CRB procedure is developed so that the criminal records
certificate is only issued directly to the individual applicant (recommendation
4).
- I recommend that the Government introduces a filter to remove old and minor conviction
information from criminal records checks (recommendation 5).
- I recommend the introduction of a package of measures to improve the disclosure
of police information to employers (recommendation 6).
- I recommend that the CRB develop an open and transparent representations process
and that the disclosure of police information is overseen by an independent expert
(recommendation 7).
- I recommend that where employers knowingly make unlawful criminal records check
applications the penalties and sanctions are rigorously enforced (recommendation
8).
- I recommend that basic level criminal record checks are introduced in England
and Wales (recommendation 9).
- I recommend that comprehensive and easily understood guidance is developed to
fully explain the criminal records and employment checking regime (recommendation
10).
The Terms of Reference along with the full criminal records regime report can be downloaded
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/press-releases/Vetting-barring-scheme
CRA will keep you updated of any future changes.
As a result of ISA registration being stopped, the CRB has had to consider the impact
on its application process and confirmed that they will still launch the new application
form from July 2010 as originally planned.
The full details and scope of the proposed remodel are still to be finalised. In
the meantime we make it clear that:
- it is business as usual for CRA and CRB
- the elements of the VBS put in place in October 2009 continue
- existing requirements concerning CRB will remain in place and those entitled to
such checks can continue to apply for them
To ensure we provide you the same excellent service and help you understand the
upcomming changes to the system, please see our key action dates below for
processing paper CRB applications.
From 1st July 2010
We advise you to start submit Disclosure applications using the new application
form
From 12th July 2010
We will no longer accept applications using the current form, these will be rejected
and a new application form needs to be completed
Download our VBS Guidance leaflet
Vetting and Barring Scheme safeguards introduced
Link:
www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk
The new scheme was created following the Bichard Inquiry into the Soham murders
and will be delivered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and the CRB.
Its tighter regulations are at the heart of the Government’s strategy for increasing
protection of vulnerable members of our society.
From 12 October 2009:
- It is now a criminal offence for individuals barred by the ISA to work or apply
to work with children or vulnerable adults in a wide range of posts - including
most NHS jobs, Prison Service, education and childcare. Employers also face criminal
sanctions for knowingly employing a barred individual across a wider range of work
- The three former barred lists (POCA, POVA and List 99) are being replaced by two
new ISA-barred lists
- Employers, local authorities, professional regulators and other bodies have a
duty to refer to the ISA, information about individuals working with children or
vulnerable adults where they consider them to have caused harm or pose a risk of
harm.
- VBS Guidance is now available covering the increased safeguards and the duties
to refer introduced from 12 October