CRB Checks
There are three levels of CRB checks that an employer can obtain on an employee (or applicant) subject to the type of employment and disclosure under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The three levels of CRB check are Basic, Standard, and Enhanced, details of which are explained below.
Basic CRB Disclosure
The basic disclosure provides details on convictions that are considered unspent under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The time period for a conviction to be considered spent varies according to the type of of sentencing passed.
Details of The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 << can be found here.
The basic level of disclosure can be obtained for any type of employment however in some roles a higher level of CRB disclosure may be obtained (see standard and enhanced disclosure details below).
Standard CRB Disclosure
The standard disclosure provides details of BOTH unspent and spent convictions as well as any cautions, reprimands or warnings held on the Police National Computer (PNC) system.
Disclosure of spent convictions and PNC data can only be provided to employers where the applicant is to be employed in a role that is exempted from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The standard level of disclosure is not suitable for those employed for the care of children and vulnerable adults, in these cases an enhanced disclosure is required.
Types of employment listed under Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975
Actuary
Nurse, midwife
Barrister (in England and Wales), advocate (in Scotland), solicitor
Ophthalmic optician, dispensing optician
Chartered accountant, certified accountant
Pharmaceutical chemist
Chartered psychologist
Registered chiropractor
Dentist, dental hygienist, dental auxiliary
Registered osteopath
Legal executive
Registered teacher (in Scotland)
Medical practitioner
Veterinary surgeon
Care services to vulnerable adults14 Prison staff
Health service appointments
Probation officers
Judicial appointments
Traffic wardens
Justices’ chief executives, justices’ clerks and their assistants
Work with under-18-year-olds15
Police constables
Taxi driver
If there is any doubt as to whether the applicant's role is exempted you should seek legal advice before requesting a standard CRB disclosure.
Enhanced CRB Disclosure
The enhanced level of disclosure is available where an applicant is to be employed in a role involving the care of vulnerable adults and children, and also certain roles involving gaming and lottery licences.
The enhanced level of disclosure will cover everything within the standard disclosure plus details of any inclusion on children's or adult's lists, and any other relevant information held by police forces and Government Bodies.
If there is any doubt as to whether an applicant's role requires an enhanced disclosure legal advice should be sought.