Glossary

Additional Information

Enhanced checks may contain ‘additional’ information. Occasionally the Chief Police Officer may, if thought necessary in the interests of the prevention or detection of crime, release ‘additional’ information to the Countersignatory only, in the form of a separate letter and should not be revealed to the applicant.

Approved Information

Enhanced checks may contain ‘approved’ information. This is non-conviction information provided by the police from their local records. The Chief Police Officer in each force will decide what, if any, information to provide. Criminal Records Bureau will print this information on both the applicant’s and the Countersignatory’s copy.

Caution

A caution is a formal warning about future conduct given by a senior police officer, usually in a police station, after a person has committed an offence. It is used as an alternative to a charge and possible prosecution

Counter signatory

A person within a Registered Body who is registered with the CRB to countersign applications and receive the Disclosure, this is usually some authorised person at United CRB, part of United Medicare Limited

Countersignatory reference number

The specific reference number allocated to each individual Countersignatory by the CRB.

Criminal Record

A record of convictions held on the Police National Computer for individuals convicted of crimes.

Disclosure Application Reference Number

The specific reference number allocated to each Disclosure application by the CRB.

Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)

Government department responsible for improving the focus on all aspects of policy affecting children and young people, as part of the governments aim to deliver educational excellence (formerly the Department for Education and Skills).

Disclosure or CRB Checks

The term that is used to describe the service provided by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the document issued to the applicant and Registered Body when a CRB check has been completed. The cost of a CRB check is described as a Disclosure Fee.

Each disclosure has a “Disclosure Application Reference Number”, which is a specific reference number allocated to each Disclosure application by the CRB.

equivalent of the Criminal Records Bureau but for Scotland.

Enforced Subject Access

Under current legislation, individuals can exercise their right to apply for access to information held on them including criminal record information under the 'subject access' provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. Currently, some employers seek to obtain this information about employees and potential employees by compelling them to exercise their rights under the Data Protection Act. This process is known as 'Enforced Subject Access' and is undesirable because details of all convictions are revealed. Most employers are not entitled to ask for this information under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Enhanced Disclosures

Enhanced Disclosures are for posts involving greater contact with children or other vulnerable adults. Such work involves regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of these people. As well as all of the information contained in a Standard Disclosure, Enhanced Disclosures may also contain information that is held locally by the police. Most health and Care Workers and those in care of Children would need this.

Ex-Offender

A person who has been convicted of a criminal offence and whose crime is now “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Exceptions Order

The Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 sets out those occupations and positions exempt from the provisions of the ROA. These are generally positions of trust, where there is a valid need to see a person's full criminal history in order to assess their suitability for a position. This information is intended as general guidance only. It must not be regarded as a definitive interpretation of the Act. Anyone requesting further guidance should seek legal advice.

Exempted Question

An exempted question is a valid request for a person to reveal their full criminal history (including spent convictions) and is made possible by virtue of the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Fast Track POCA

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Fast Track POCA service was withdrawn on the 1st October 2007. This service was available to those customers within the NHS who were entitled to check the POCA list and who requested a POCA check on the Disclosure application form. It allowed those NHS customers to see the result of the POCA check as soon as possible and before the full Disclosure was received

For how long will Disclosures be valid?

Each Disclosure will show the date on which it was printed. Disclosures do not carry a pre-determined period of validity because a conviction or other matter could be recorded against the subject of the Disclosure at any time after it is issued.

Lead Countersignatory>

A senior figure within a Registered Body who has overall responsibility for the use of the CRB checks in their organisation, this is Manickam Thiagarajan (Director)

Local Police Records

Police records, not held on the Police National Computer, containing non-conviction information.

NACRO

A crime reduction charity, making society safer by finding practical solutions to reducing crime. Since 1966 Nacro has worked to give ex-offenders, disadvantaged people, and deprived communities the help they need to build a better future.

POCA List

Protection of Children Act List. This is a list, managed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on behalf of the Department of Health (DH), of people banned from working with children.

Police Act 1997

The piece of legislation that brought about the CRB.

Police National Computer (PNC)

A national police database that contains information about criminal records i.e. convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings.

Portability

Portability refers to the re-use of a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure, obtained for a position in one organisation and later used for another position in another organisation. This practice is no longer endorsed by the CRB due to the risks factors involved.

POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults)

POVAFirst is a service available to those customers who are entitled to check the POVA list and who have requested a POVA check on the Disclosure application form. It allows those customers to see the result of the POVA check as soon as possible and before the full Disclosure is received. POVAFirst will benefit those customers who are required by law to undertake a POVA check before a care worker can start working.

POVAFirst

POVAFirst is a service available to those customers who are entitled to check the POVA list and who have requested a POVA check on the Disclosure application form. It allows those customers to see the result of the POVA check as soon as possible and before the full Disclosure is received. POVAFirst will benefit those customers who are required by law to undertake a POVA check before a care worker can start work.

POVA List

Protection of Vulnerable Adult List. This is a list, managed by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) on behalf of the Department of Health (DH), of people banned from working with vulnerable adults.

Registered Bodies

Organisations that have registered directly with the CRB to use its services.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 enables some criminal convictions to become 'spent', or ignored, after a 'rehabilitation period'. A rehabilitation period is a set length of time from the date of conviction. After this period, with certain exceptions, an ex-offender is not normally obliged to mention the conviction when applying for a job or obtaining insurance, or when involved in criminal or civil proceedings.

Rehabilitation Period for CRB purposes

A rehabilitation period is a set length of time from the date of conviction. After this period, with certain exceptions, an ex-offender is not normally obliged to mention the conviction when applying for a job or obtaining insurance, or when involved in criminal or civil proceedings

Reprimand

A reprimand has replaced the caution for young people aged under 18. A young person given a second formal warning about future conduct is given a final warning.

Standard CRB Check

Also referred to as a Standard Disclosure. These are primarily for posts that involve working with children or vulnerable adults. Standard checks may also be issued for people entering certain professions, such as members of the legal and accountancy professions. The Standard check contains details of all convictions held on the PNC including current and 'spent' convictions as well as details of any cautions, reprimands or final warnings. If a position involves working with children, the CRB check will indicate whether information is held on three government lists of those who are banned from working with children or the vulnerable.

Subject Access

Under current legislation, individuals can exercise their right to apply for access to information held on them including criminal record information under the 'subject access' provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Volunteer

The CRB defines a volunteer to be ‘a person who performs any activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travelling and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives’.

What is an 'unspent conviction'?

A conviction is described as unspent if the rehabilitation period associated with it has not yet lapsed. A rehabilitation period is a set length of time from the date of conviction, according to the sentence imposed.

Working with children

The definition of this term is in two parts:

  • A child care position within the meaning of the Protection of Children Act. The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (CJCSA) 2000 replaces the original definition in the Protection of Children Act with 'regulated position' for the purposes of Part II of the 2000 Act. Within the 2000 Act, section 36 sets out what the regulated positions are for the purposes of Part II of the Act; or
  • A position in which employment or further employment is prohibited or restricted by regulations made under section 218 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

Testimonial

We are very satisfied with your service, we have used several companies over the last few years and found yours to be most efficient, we would recommend you to anyone.
Ms Susan Davies, Matron
Oaks Court Nursing Home, Wolverhampton
Excellent service provided. Polite staff who are always available for advice and always professional. I have used other services, but United Medicare Ltd offer a First class Professional service.
Ms Jenny Shaw,Matron
Fleetwood Nursing Home, Lancashire
Excellent and prompt service by very Pleasant and Professional Staff
Mr Montezuma,Manager
Aldbourne Nursing Home, Wiltshire
Since Changing to United Medicare Ltd, I have found the staff very helpful, polite and engaging. The service provided is prompt and act as a very useful resource. The First POVA checks are promptly returned however I understand the CRB`s are longer with strict criteria having to be adhered to. Our plan is to continue with United Medicare Ltd, the service is great. Many Thanks
Mr Adam Hesselden,Manager
Greenview Nursing House, West Yorkshire