Management Information Sheet
CRB Identity Checking - Changes To Guidelines Effective From 31 August 2012
From 28th May 2012, the CRB introduced new identity (ID) checking guidelines. These new guidelines will apply to all applications for a CRB check and will become mandatory from 31st August 2012, when the existing guidelines will cease to apply.
The CRB have introduced these guidelines to strengthen the identity check process and improve public protection. In particular, the changes will make it more difficult for individual applicants to conceal previous criminal records by changing their name and are part of an ongoing improvement process that will enable easier detection of undeclared changes of name in the future.
As a consequence the range of acceptable identity documents that an applicant can produce in order to have their identity verified has been significantly reduced. Please also be aware that those documents that are still acceptable have been reclassified, replacing the existing Group 1 and 2 categories. Whereas previously, applicants would be required to produce either 3 or 5 pieces of identity documentation, the new process will require them to follow one of three defined routes - as outlined in this guidance from the CRB.
Please ensure that the recruitment process followed in your school is amended to reflect the new requirements for identity checking.
In anticipation of these imposed changes, Norfolk County Council is in discussion with the system provider of our "Norfolk Disclosures" electronic CRB system to ensure that the enhancements being made to the identity checking process are reflected in the online application process. Therefore the list of acceptable documents in the Applicant Identification screen is likely to change prior to the August 2012 implementation date.
Until these changes are made on Norfolk Disclosures, you should continue to use the existing ID verification process, but ensure that you begin to consider the changes and implement these accordingly.
To clarify, these new guidelines relate solely to the ID verification process of new CRB applications. Previous applications and those initiated (but not completed) prior to these changes are still valid. Policy on when, who and how often CRB checks are required also remains unaffected.
The following link from CRB's website provides further information including a selection of FAQs and scenarios posed by these new requirements - www.homeoffice.gov.uk
If you have any questions or would like further information please call HR Direct on 01603 222212 or email:HRDirect@norfolk.gov.uk
Additional information and resources for the CRB process are available on Schools PeopleNet.
The CRB have introduced these guidelines to strengthen the identity check process and improve public protection. In particular, the changes will make it more difficult for individual applicants to conceal previous criminal records by changing their name and are part of an ongoing improvement process that will enable easier detection of undeclared changes of name in the future.
As a consequence the range of acceptable identity documents that an applicant can produce in order to have their identity verified has been significantly reduced. Please also be aware that those documents that are still acceptable have been reclassified, replacing the existing Group 1 and 2 categories. Whereas previously, applicants would be required to produce either 3 or 5 pieces of identity documentation, the new process will require them to follow one of three defined routes - as outlined in this guidance from the CRB.
Please ensure that the recruitment process followed in your school is amended to reflect the new requirements for identity checking.
In anticipation of these imposed changes, Norfolk County Council is in discussion with the system provider of our "Norfolk Disclosures" electronic CRB system to ensure that the enhancements being made to the identity checking process are reflected in the online application process. Therefore the list of acceptable documents in the Applicant Identification screen is likely to change prior to the August 2012 implementation date.
Until these changes are made on Norfolk Disclosures, you should continue to use the existing ID verification process, but ensure that you begin to consider the changes and implement these accordingly.
To clarify, these new guidelines relate solely to the ID verification process of new CRB applications. Previous applications and those initiated (but not completed) prior to these changes are still valid. Policy on when, who and how often CRB checks are required also remains unaffected.
The following link from CRB's website provides further information including a selection of FAQs and scenarios posed by these new requirements - www.homeoffice.gov.uk
If you have any questions or would like further information please call HR Direct on 01603 222212 or email:HRDirect@norfolk.gov.uk
Additional information and resources for the CRB process are available on Schools PeopleNet.