CRB Umbrella Body
EM Direct is a Registered Body with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and also act as an "Umbrella Body" on behalf of organisations that are unable to apply for Criminal Records checks themselves. Any organisation carrying out less than 100 CRB checks per annum does not meet the minimum threshold requirements of registration with the CRB, and so has to use the services of an Umbrella Body.
An individual cannot make an application for a Disclosure directly, and the Disclosure service does not apply to those people who are self-employed. This is because there needs to be an independent person who makes the decision to employ an individual having assessed that they pose no threat to either children or vulnerable adults in their care. If a person is self-employed there is no independent third party to make that decision.
As an Umbrella Body our role is to:
- Check and validate the information provided by the applicant on the application form
- Establish the true identity of the applicant, through the examination of a range of documents using guidance provided by the CRB
- Ensure the application form is fully completed and the information it contains is accurate
- Countersign application forms to confirm the organisation has an entitlement to access criminal record information
- Comply with the CRB Code of Practice.
How does the CRB check work?
Anyone having regular contact with children and vulnerable adults must have an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure before they are offered employment.
A Disclosure is a document containing information held by the police and government departments and is used by employers and voluntary organisations to make safer recruitment decisions.
If an organisation wishes to apply for CRB checks as part of their recruitment process they must be entitled to ask exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 Exceptions Order 1975. (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 ROA 1974.)
There are 2 types of Disclosure – Standard and Enhanced.
Once an organisation has requested EM Direct to carry out CRB checks on their behalf we will issue them with the relevant documentation including:
- CRB Application forms
- Sample copies of our Policy documents
- The CRB Code of Practice
- Guidance notes on completing the application form
- A Contractual Agreement
- A list of identity verification documentation required by applicants
Using our Service
To find out more about using our Umbrella Body service please contact Linden Bailey, our Office Manager on 01476 512780 (Ext 314).