CRB Checking

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

Hello, i am looking to get myself CRB checked, i swear people have told me the cost is about £150 a time

However ive started to do research into it and it seems to cost about £50 for an "Enhanced" check which sounds amazing. Or do you have to pay for the basic + Standard + enhanced checks?

But i think im missing something here? I know i cant do a check on myself unless a school etc ask me, thats not a problem, i can do this

Also does anyone have any tips for me? Any recommendations on companies they used for their CRB checks?

Thanks
Pete

[milo]

Go to any local employment agency and ask them to do it for a small fee. I used Adeco, then the school did one, then the Scouts did one…… Now I have several?

[sleah]

I know i cant do a check on myself unless a school etc ask me, thats not a problem, i can do this


You can't check yourself! A school can ask your permission to do a check, and maybe ask you to pay for it. But then every school (or similar) you work in have to do their own checks.
Suffice to say, a school will not ask you to get a CRB check.

A CRB is NOT transferrable between organisations.:(
The exception (well not exactly) is an 'umbrella' agency as mentioned.

Also one organisation cannot ask for details of a CRB from another organisation (although they may be able to say whether or not they have done you, but not the result), so telling the scouts you've been checked by a school won't work and it's unlikely they will accept seeing a copy you may have obtained yourself.

It's a difficult area with no easy answer, something that does need to be addressed for freelance folk, especially given the current climate of everyone needing a check.

Although not ideal, it is absolutely right that these checks are done, the system isn't perfect and really needs alot of work, and is no guarantee, but if it protects one child from one incident, it has all been worthwhile.

[Vectis]

The problem with a CRB is it's like an MOT ... you could've been in court and convicted of something the day after the certificate landed on your doormat. A personally-held CRB is a statement that once-upon-a-time you weren't a convicted perv :o

The onus is on the hiring organisation to carry out a fresh CRB with your consent to be 100% squeaky.

The fact that applications can take 6-8 weeks (plus the cost!) makes them less viable in this game.

I guess if you intend working with kids/VAs on an ongoing basis there'd be no harm in getting one done every year and building up a 'portfolio' to show a "full service history" in due course?

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

Although not ideal, it is absolutely right that these checks are done, the system isn't perfect and really needs alot of work, and is no guarantee, but if it protects one child from one incident, it has all been worthwhile.

I agree.

It seems different companies do it different ways. When a local teacher i know joined a nearby school they sent her details off to the the police and they done the checks and sent back a certificate but when i had a CRB done the details were sent off to a government agency to check, who then sent back 2 certificates (1 for the employer and 1 for me).


I guess if you intend working with kids/VAs on an ongoing basis there'd be no harm in getting one done every year and building up a 'portfolio' to show a "full service history" in due course?

I believe this is already the case. Most teachers/ carers are required to get re-checked every 3 years.

[Vectis]

I believe this is already the case. Most teachers/ carers are required to get re-checked every 3 years.

Mrs VV is a state teacher and she was last checked 5 years ago.

The onus is on the school/organisation to instigate the check, not the employee.

[One Vision]

Unless your working with kids unsupervised whats the actual point in getting a check done?

[Vectis]

Unless your working with kids unsupervised whats the actual point in getting a check done?

3 reasons spring to mind.

1. Whilst you may be supervised, it only takes an accident or similar issue to grab the attention of the supervisor(s) and you're then effectively unsupervised.

2. The CRB covers work with vulnerable adults, not just kids.

3. Some use it as a selling point, and others a negotiating point, blissfully unaware of the gotchas. A bit like PAT & PLI being "legal requirements" I guess :bang:

[One Vision]

Arr right I get you, I probably wouldn't pass a check anyway as I do have a criminal record but nothing remotely related to that kind of thing.

My daughter had to have a check done through college this year as she is an infant school helper on like a day release, I think we had to pay £30 but not sure if that was subsidised by the college or not as my daughter is registered disabled.

[sleah]

Arr right I get you, I probably wouldn't pass a check anyway as I do have a criminal record but nothing remotely related to that kind of thing.

You don't pass or fail as such, it's a check which returns information. You may find that as you say your conviction has no bearing on working with children it may not be an issue, but then again it might!:confused:

[nigelwright7557]

Wow, the CRB check seems to have gone up a bit in the last few years.
They were about £24 about 3 years ago.
I need one for my job and had to pay for the first one.
The company now pays for my updates.

[nigelwright7557]

2. The CRB covers work with vulnerable adults, not just kids.



I need a POVA to work with adults as well.
Protection Of Vulnerable Adults.

If i remember correctly that means I need an enhanced check.

[One Vision]

You don't pass or fail as such, it's a check which returns information. You may find that as you say your conviction has no bearing on working with children it may not be an issue, but then again it might!:confused:

Nothing major, only ABH :o

[sleah]

Nothing major, only ABH :o

Ahhhhhh........

Remind me not to upset you...:eek:

:run:

[milo]

The CRB is not needed if you are not working with children or VAs on a one on one basis, so you should be able to work schools and clubs etc as a DJ without one.

I had one done myself (by an agency) because I’m a Children’s entertainer and I’m often down at their level, holding hands, positioning them for magic and generally being “hands on”, whilst it’s not required for most of my bookings, I do like to supply a pack with my insurance docs, licenses, CRB, first aid cert, risk assessment and all that jazz. The feedback that I get is that it is very professional and it at least shows that I am the type of person who likes to keep everything above board.

Schools will often do a list 99 rather than a full CRB; I know that my son’s school did one on me when I started helping them out on trips etc. I do regular bookings at the deaf school (they love the lights and vibrations) and despite having children and adults with many physical and mental disabilities they were happy just seeing a copy of my recent CRB.

I would have one done every year or two just so you can say that you have one that can be produced on request as this will satisfy most of your clients and put their mind at ease – Most people will not ask to see a copy (I’ve only actually had one or two people ask to see it) so even if you have a minor offence on your record it is worth while getting one, then if anyone queries you can explain and leave it to them to decide if they think the offence is serious.

[OllieJames]

What if you are a kid anyway? Such as me? Is this still required?

Edit: Just read the previous post. :o ignore me :D

[rob1963]

I thought you didn't have to be CRB checked unless you were in CHARGE of children.

I'm not CRB checked, but there are kids at virtually all my discos.

:shrug:

[nigelwright7557]

I am CRB checked for my main job anyway.

Usually the CRB is for when vulnerable kids and adults are concerned and your looking after them.
At a disco they should be with their parents or a responsible adult.

[Vectis]

I thought you didn't have to be CRB checked unless you were in CHARGE of children.

I'm not CRB checked, but there are kids at virtually all my discos.

:shrug:

I think the key term here Rob is 'unsupervised'.

I often provide discos to a local play centre, and whilst there are centre staff around plus a few parents, it only takes an incident elsewhere such as some kid banging their head to divert their attention and for a while I can be stood in a room alone with 50 or 60 youngsters.

I agree it's MUCH less likely at weddings etc., so if I were in your position I don't think it would be worthwhile having unless of course you suddenly found that punters were asking for one. It's not going to win you any new business I wouldn't have thought.

[rob1963]

I think the key term here Rob is 'unsupervised'.

I often provide discos to a local play centre, and whilst there are centre staff around plus a few parents, it only takes an incident elsewhere such as some kid banging their head to divert their attention and for a while I can be stood in a room alone with 50 or 60 youngsters.

I agree it's MUCH less likely at weddings etc., so if I were in your position I don't think it would be worthwhile having unless of course you suddenly found that punters were asking for one. It's not going to win you any new business I wouldn't have thought.

Thanks for the clarification, Vectis.

:thumbsup:

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

its not really a legal thing

its a usefol marketing and sales tool, by telling potential clients you are CRB checked, it shows you care about your job and they have peace of mind, add that to the PLI etc and you can have the edge over the opposition

[karl james]

Ive done a couple of freebie Discos for the local school which got me a free enhanced check. The paperwork was sent direct to me, so if anyone asks if I have been checked and which they often do, I say 'yes by ....... school.' That seems to be good enough for them. Although nobody has ever asked what the results were!

[Lizard lady]

This is very helpful! I still don't see why folk can't have the checks done themselves though? It is a crazy situation!! I shall be asking a local school to CRB check me I think. That seems to be the best bet. I'd never thought of asking an employment agancy...but this is a good idea too.

[TrustTheEntertainment]

From what I know, You can be individually checked. You will probs have to state WHY you want to be checked... It shouldn't have to be completed through an Organisation (My last one wasn't!)

Call You LEA... They'll be able to help you further :)

[JTRS]

I had it explained to me like this......

A CRB check is basically just a check on any criminal convictions, an individual cannot apply for this, it must be done by an organisation (typically a school). A standard CRB check shows any convictions that you have had (which are otherwise not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974), an enhanced CRB check will also list details of any investigations against you that did not come to trial or result in a conviction and also all offences including those that are 'spent' (Ian Huntley is perhaps the best known example of why schools go for an enhanced check as opposed to the standard check).

However an individual can apply to their local police for what's called a Subject Access Request (SAR), various forces have different names for them but they are all SAR's, this costs about £12 and for that you get a list of any crimes you have been convicted of, so it is in essence detailing the same information as a standard CRB check, except you can apply for it yourself (in fact you are the only person who can apply for it), and you can use it to show to anyone that you do not have any convictions (so it is transferable between organisations).

As others have pointed out though, the value of a CRB check is only as good as the date it was done and in most cases a DJ isn't left alone with a child or a vulnerable adult so it isn't really required, but I think it's a good selling point to state that you are 'Police Checked' as well as PAT compliant and PLI.

JTRS

[JDB Entertainment]

From what I know, You can be individually checked. You will probs have to state WHY you want to be checked... It shouldn't have to be completed through an Organisation (My last one wasn't!)

Call You LEA... They'll be able to help you further :)

Wrong as JTRS has said you cannot obtain a CRB off yout own back you must go through an organisation!


This is very helpful! I still don't see why folk can't have the checks done themselves though? It is a crazy situation!! I shall be asking a local school to CRB check me I think. That seems to be the best bet. I'd never thought of asking an employment agancy...but this is a good idea too.

Before someone says it it might be worth you introducing yourself! :D

[TrustTheEntertainment]

Wrong as JTRS has said you cannot obtain a CRB off yout own back you must go through an organisation!


Umberella companies complete them for you as an individual aka you don't have to be employed or used by a company/council/school etc etc... we use one that is fantastic! However much security and trust people put into a CRB check, it can only guarentee the individual on the date of completion (or so the t&c's say) and cannot be reproduced after a set date

I suppose anyone could fall back on their CRB check that is 11months old after having been in serious trouble since it was completed!


Personally, having needed a CRB check and checking them on a day to day basis - its £50 well spent as far as marketing is concerned... and that so many parents ask for them!

[DJ Jules]

Personally, having needed a CRB check and checking them on a day to day basis - its £50 well spent as far as marketing is concerned... and that so many parents ask for them!

...and councils, local authorities, public bodies, universities(?!), etc etc...

My last venture was bouncy castles and one of the industry associations set themselves up a deal with an umbrella company so they could provide enhanced CRB checks for their members at well below the normal prices (£30 a time I think from memory?) I take it no-one in the Mobile DJ arena has thought about doing that yet?

Julian

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I take it no-one in the Mobile DJ arena has thought about doing that yet?


We have and were in the process of negotiating with someone, but that wasn't being dealt with by me, so I'm not sure what happened about it.

[Daryll]

Sorry to bring this up again.
I have a potential disco for a 9 year old girls birthday , they have asked for PAT , PIL and CRB , the first two are easy.
I currently hold an Enhanced Disclosure ( from West Sussex county council) would this be of any use ??

Daryll

[TonyB]

Ask them. It is up to the organisers whether they accept a check done by someone else or they require to do one themselves. Unless they are a company or organisation, it is unlikely they will be able to get one themselves so probably will accept what you have.

[Vectis]

Might want to point them at
http://www.crb.gov.uk/faqs/portability.aspx

At the end of the day, accepting your "third party" CRB comes down to the level of risk they're prepared to take.

[Starlight]

2. The CRB covers work with vulnerable adults, not just kids.


Very true,

I work for the NHS and we have to get checked every year.

Neil M.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Very true,

I work for the NHS and we have to get checked every year.

Neil M.

Wow!

So you are an importer of speakers, director of a lighting company, DJ, close up magician and make jingles? You must be busy...;)

[Starlight]

Wow!

So you are an importer of speakers, director of a lighting company, DJ, close up magician and make jingles? You must be busy...;)
:confused: speakers?

I'm part time in my local community hospital working 5-7:30pm over 5 days, going to squeeze my lighting business in 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday, close-up magic and/or disco Friday through Sunday and everything else squeezed in when I can! ;)

Neil M.