Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Safeguarding
The CRB is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for organisations, checking police records and, in relevant cases, information held by the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). There are two levels of CRB check currently available: Standard and Enhanced Disclosures.
Standard Disclosure
Available to anyone involved in working with children or vulnerable adults (and certain other occupations). Standard Disclosures show current and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer. In certain cases, the following may also be searched:
Community First for Portsmouth is an umbrella organisation for the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This is of great use to organisations which in themselves are not large enough to process their own Disclosure requests. Community First will undertake the process on behalf of these groups.
- Protection of Children Act (POCA) List
- Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) List
- Information held under Section 142 of the Education Act 2002
CRB checks are designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from exposure to inappropriate staff or volunteers who may seek to exploit them and an important tool in ensuring the safety and welfare of vulnerable citizens.
Safe Guarding
Following recent legislation, new measures have been introduced to protect children and vulnerable people. This process is known as Safeguarding, and involves the practices of “vetting and barring” – vetting requiring a check to see if an employee (or volunteer) is suitable to work with vulnerable people and barring – to prevent them from doing so if they are found to be unsuitable.
CRB checks still apply but with the additional measures of registering with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). An explanation of the ISA regulations and processes is provided below.
Enhanced Disclosure
The highest level of check available to those regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults. Also available in certain licensing purposes and judicial appointments. Enhanced Disclosures contain the same information as Standard Disclosures but with the addition of any relevant and proportionate information held by local police forces.
