GE values its volunteers and warmly welcomes those who wish to volunteer in education. Working with young people is a gift and GE and Schools need to be protected from the small minority of individuals who may wish to do harm and who already have a record of such action.
What is the Criminal Records Bureau of England and Wales
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is an agency of the Home Office, its purpose is to provide a one-stop shop for checking police records and other national registers.
What is Disclosure?
Disclosure is the name of the process of providing a criminal record report, there are two levels of disclosure, normally schools ask for Standard Disclosure:
1/ Enhanced Disclosure – For posts involving regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of children, young people or vulnerable adults.
2/ Standard Disclosure – For posts involving working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, and for shots in management positions and positions of trust, such as local Board Members and Trustees
What is the process for a CRB check?
Various organizations are registered with the CRB and are able to issue and countersign Disclosure Applications before sending them to the CRB - example of such organizations are:
- Schools via their local council
- Young Enterprise
- Business in the Community
- STEMNET
If you are working with any of these agencies they will provide you with the forms, view your documentation and countersign the form.
The process can vary, but the organization or school you are working with will be able to give you guidance.
What is the cost?
This varies between who does the check for you. With organizations such as Young Enterprise there is no charge. Again, your partner will give you guidance.
How is the form completed?
It is vital that the form is completed in black ink and Block Capitals.
At the time of completing the form, you will be required to supply evidence of your identity, such as a passport, driving licence or original birth certificate, also two items which prove your current address, such as a utility bill or TV Licence.
The form also requires your National Insurance number.
You will NOT be required to give bank details.
What happens next.
The form is sent off to the CRB and you should receive your disclosure certificate with a few weeks.
How long does a disclosure certificate last?
There is no time scale on a certificate. It is purely a snapshot in time. The organization you work with will tell you when they feel they need a new certificate – probably every two years.
What if someone already has a certificate and has gone through the process elsewhere?
As certificates are provided for specific purposes it is probable that a new certificate would be needed, especially if the duties on the original Disclosure are very different from those involved in educational volunteering.