Management Information Sheet
Criminal Records Bureau
FROM: Rita Mills
At present we are finding that just over 40% of the forms received at County Hall need to be returned for further amendment. This is a major cause for the delays in Disclosures being received from the CRB.
The start of a new academic year inevitably gives rise to a substantial increase in the number of application forms received, making this the busiest time of year for staff in the CRB team.
Incorrectly completed forms are being returned to schools to provide either missing information or amendments. This is because it has proved to be more successful and quicker than returning forms to the applicants directly.
To reduce the need to return forms to schools during the holidays, and therefore to reduce the likelihood of major delays in processing the forms, attached is a list of the most common errors that lead to forms being returned.
It would be very helpful if those responsible for checking the evidence of identity for the application form could look out for some of these common problems and address them prior to sending the forms to County Hall.
A copy of the list could also be provided to applicants if wished.
I hope that with this additional information, the CRB process could be further improved and made more responsive.
Should you have any queries please contact the CRB team on 01603 223152.
Most Common Mistakes:
Section A
A1 - Where a title of Mrs or Ms has been given, the applicant must either provide previous surnames or confirm that their surname has not changed.
A3 - If the applicant has one or more middle names, these must be provided regardless of whether the applicant uses them or not.
A4 - The date of birth given in section A must correspond with any dates of birth listed in section X.
Section B
B13 - The "position applied for" must be filled in, otherwise we cannot tell what level of CRB check needs to be carried out or if the position is voluntary or not. This not the position applied for at the school, this is the position the disclosure is being requested for e.g. (Parent Helper, Teacher, MSA, etc)
Section C
C20 - Any previous surnames must be disclosed, as the police need to check records listed under former names as well as the applicant's current name.
C28-29 - Town/city and county/district of birth need to be provided.
Section D
D36-42 - A full address history of the last five years must be given with no gaps or overlapping dates. This must date back at least five years to the month (i.e. July 2000 at the time of this letter) and approximate months must be given for all dates as well as years. If the applicant has more than one previous address, further addresses need to be listed on a continuation sheet, for which a plain piece of A4 paper is suitable although please make sure the applicant has placed his/her name somewhere on the sheet in case it becomes detached from their form at any time.
Section H
H68-69 - Both consent boxes need to be signed, if only once box is signed then the disclosure will take considerably longer to be issued by the CRB and obviously where no consent is given, a disclosure cannot be issued at all.
Section X
X15-16 - X15 needs to be marked where details have been checked and X16 must be completed by the individual who verified the applicants documents.
X General - Please make sure that the applicant has provided enough documentation for this section. For guidance I have enclosed a photocopy to illustrate the classification of documents and what combinations are needed.
X General - If the applicant has provided documents that are listed as acceptable in the CRB's guide booklet, but do not have allocated portions in section X to complete, the document should be photocopied, then signed and dated by the individual verifying it. If the applicant does not have the required amount of documentation, then this must be confirmed briefly in writing.
Other
- Sections E and F do not need to be completed and are now considered optional by the CRB. If the applicant has filled any details in for these sections however, it will not hinder the disclosure process at all.
- Section Y is to be completed by us here at NCC and therefore must be left blank.
- The CRB will not process photocopied forms as each form has its own unique reference number.
- All sections of the form must be completed in black ink as the CRB scan each form and blue ink simply does not come through clearly enough.
Criminal Records Bureau
With the summer holiday period fast approaching, I thought it would be helpful to issue a timely reminder on the importance of making sure that CRB disclosure application forms are fully and accurately completed, prior to submission to the CRB, to minimise the possibilities of delay over the summer.At present we are finding that just over 40% of the forms received at County Hall need to be returned for further amendment. This is a major cause for the delays in Disclosures being received from the CRB.
The start of a new academic year inevitably gives rise to a substantial increase in the number of application forms received, making this the busiest time of year for staff in the CRB team.
Incorrectly completed forms are being returned to schools to provide either missing information or amendments. This is because it has proved to be more successful and quicker than returning forms to the applicants directly.
To reduce the need to return forms to schools during the holidays, and therefore to reduce the likelihood of major delays in processing the forms, attached is a list of the most common errors that lead to forms being returned.
It would be very helpful if those responsible for checking the evidence of identity for the application form could look out for some of these common problems and address them prior to sending the forms to County Hall.
A copy of the list could also be provided to applicants if wished.
I hope that with this additional information, the CRB process could be further improved and made more responsive.
Should you have any queries please contact the CRB team on 01603 223152.
Most Common Mistakes:
Section A
A1 - Where a title of Mrs or Ms has been given, the applicant must either provide previous surnames or confirm that their surname has not changed.
A3 - If the applicant has one or more middle names, these must be provided regardless of whether the applicant uses them or not.
A4 - The date of birth given in section A must correspond with any dates of birth listed in section X.
Section B
B13 - The "position applied for" must be filled in, otherwise we cannot tell what level of CRB check needs to be carried out or if the position is voluntary or not. This not the position applied for at the school, this is the position the disclosure is being requested for e.g. (Parent Helper, Teacher, MSA, etc)
Section C
C20 - Any previous surnames must be disclosed, as the police need to check records listed under former names as well as the applicant's current name.
C28-29 - Town/city and county/district of birth need to be provided.
Section D
D36-42 - A full address history of the last five years must be given with no gaps or overlapping dates. This must date back at least five years to the month (i.e. July 2000 at the time of this letter) and approximate months must be given for all dates as well as years. If the applicant has more than one previous address, further addresses need to be listed on a continuation sheet, for which a plain piece of A4 paper is suitable although please make sure the applicant has placed his/her name somewhere on the sheet in case it becomes detached from their form at any time.
Section H
H68-69 - Both consent boxes need to be signed, if only once box is signed then the disclosure will take considerably longer to be issued by the CRB and obviously where no consent is given, a disclosure cannot be issued at all.
Section X
X15-16 - X15 needs to be marked where details have been checked and X16 must be completed by the individual who verified the applicants documents.
X General - Please make sure that the applicant has provided enough documentation for this section. For guidance I have enclosed a photocopy to illustrate the classification of documents and what combinations are needed.
X General - If the applicant has provided documents that are listed as acceptable in the CRB's guide booklet, but do not have allocated portions in section X to complete, the document should be photocopied, then signed and dated by the individual verifying it. If the applicant does not have the required amount of documentation, then this must be confirmed briefly in writing.
Other