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CRB/DBS Check

Posted: 06 Dec 2012, 11:45
by Eleguj
I noticed a recent post about this but without a response and although there have been older topics I wanted to post a new one as I know the system has changed only recently.

As the title suggests I'm enquiring about the criminal check procedure that is required when applying for TEFL jobs.

I'm at the point where I'm now looking for work but I'm a bit concerned that an old conviction may cause problems. It was 8 years ago, when I was a teenager, and was for a minor offence, basically criminal damage.

However, from what I've read it's now changed and EVERYTHING shows up on a check, even just warnings etc. But I called the department and they said that it's down to the police to then decide if it warrants passing on the item to the prospective employer.

The guy also told me that unless I was working in the USA, Australia, Canada or the UK that they actually wouldn't even PROVIDE a prospective employer with a full check and told me to just contact my local police station for a print out of what is on record.

But that seems contrary to what some TEFL jobs have requested.

At this stage I'm a bit confused and more than a bit worried. I hadn't realised that it may prevent me from working ANYWHERE, even if I did think that some countries may want a complete background check.

So, can anyone advice me? Firstly, do I need this complete check for EVERY position? If so, how do I go about obtaining one? The department itself have advised me they won't provide one for jobs outside the aforementioned countries and the site says I can't apply for one myself anyway.

Thanks in advance,

Julien

Re: CRB/DBS Check

Posted: 14 Aug 2013, 12:03
by jbazely
Hi Julien

There was a change on the 17th June 2013 whereby the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) previously called the CRB, will filter criminal conviction information from the Enhanced and Standard Level Disclosure Certificates. These are the levels that would reveal all spent and unspent criminal convictions held on the Police National Computer (so everything recorded). The Enhanced level would also include information held by Local Police Force that the Chief Police Officer would decide relavant to the application. They have been given official guidance to confirm how/when this information is relevant, but so far I have been unable to got my hands on the guidance to give more information (sorry). As an addition to an Enhanced level check the requesting organisation can also check the Vetting and Barring Lists for children and/or adults.

The problem with the Enhanced and Standard Level checks is that individuals are not able to request one upon themselves, so for the purposes of working abroad they are not much use, unless you are working for a UK employer/

This leaves you with 3 options:

Option 1 - A 'Subject Access Report'. In the UK we have the right to request that an organisation shows us all the data they hold on us under Data Protection princiapls (this is a very general statement). This includes the Police so you can go to your local police station and make the request (they will charge you around £10 and ask you to complete a form). They will then show you everything they currently hold on you. I beleive that anything that may affect an ongoing investigation or endanger someone else does not have to be included in the report. As your personal data you can show this to whomever you wish.

Option 2 - An ACRO check provided by the Association of Cheif Police Officer (ACPO). This is an organisation that has links across the following countries; Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, United States of America and United Kingdom (more may have been added). They offer a 'police certificate' to assist with obtaining a VISA for the linked countries. You would need to contact them directly to confirm their process of application.

Option 3 - A Basic Disclosure through Discosure Scotland. This is a service open to UK residents to allow you to access your current unspent criminal convictions held on the Police National Computer. As an individual you can request one of these checks online, direct from Disclosure Scotland.

I hope this helps to clear up the subject, but if you want to find out more information you can look at my company website below. Check out the FAQs for more information or definitions of unspent/spent etc.