SVS has registered with the CRB as an ‘Umbrella Body’, therefore we can offer a service to countersign CRB application forms.  SVS are providing this service for voluntary organisations for whom it would not be economical or practical to become a Registered Body in their own right.  The service is intended to be a service to member voluntary organisations. 

As an ‘Umbrella Body’ we are obliged to ensure that the CRB’s Code of Practice is being complied with: 

CRB Code of Practice

Therefore Southampton Voluntary Services will only offer this service to an organisation that puts in place the processes that are set out in the registration document and agreement, which include being able to provide copies of relevant policies such as the Child Protection and/or Adult Protection.  Do not worry if you do not currently have these as we will work with you to develop them.

Example policies required:

Employment of Ex-Offenders Policy
Handling of Disclosures & Disclosure Information
Adult Protection Policy
Child Protection Policy
Volunteer Policy

The Disclosure Service should not be regarded as a substitute for any of the full range of existing pre-appointment checks, including taking up references and enquiring in to the person’s previous employment history.  The CRB check should only be sought after a candidate has been provided with a provisional offer of employment or voluntary position.

Charges
Charges are made for the administration of services as well as the fee, where applicable, of the CRB.  All cheques need to be made payable to ‘Southampton Voluntary Services’ and enclosed with the application form.  Credit arrangements cannot be made as fees are charged at the point of counter signatory.

Type of Disclosure	CRB	SVS	TOTAL
Volunteer (Standard or Enhanced)	£0.00	£10.00	£10.00
Paid Employee (Standard Disclosure)	£31.00	£10.00	£41.00
Paid Employee (Enhanced Disclosure)	£36.00	£10.00	£46.00

If you wish to use this service, what should you do next?

Contact in the first instance:
Lindsay Davies (paid staff) or Di Bernstein (volunteers)
Southampton Voluntary Services
Voluntary Action Centre
Kingsland Square
St Mary's Street
Southampton  SO14 1NW
Tel:  023 8021 6020, or 023 8021 6015

They will supply you with a registration document and agreement.  In order for your organisation to be able to complete the registration document your appointed person/s will need to attend the CRB training.  Dates of the training together with any questions you might have in relation to the application process and requirements can be obtained Emily Burke or Di Bernstein

What happens after we have registered with SVS?

1. Once your organisation has been accepted by SVS to use the umbrella service, the process for obtaining a disclosure will be that the recruiting organisation will be given application forms for the individual applicants to complete.  Or, the applicant may on occasions be directed to telephone the Disclosure application line on 0870 90 90 844 for an on-line check before a part completed applicant form is sent directly to the applicant.
    

2. The applicant will present the completed form to the recruiting organisation together with original proof(s) of identity as required by the form, which should include a picture if possible. 
    

3. The proof of identity needs to be checked following the guidelines of the CRB.  SVS will also give you guidelines on the identity documents to check, and an application form checklist which will also be covered in the training.
    

4. If SVS are not satisfied with the ID produced or the application form then SVS will return the application highlighting what needs to be addressed before the application is to be resubmitted.
    

5. The completed application, signed by the individual and SVS as the Counter signatory will then be sent to the CRB for processing.
    

6. The CRB will validate the identity of the applicant, and access government and police records to produce the Disclosure document.  If the position involves working with children the Disclosure will indicate whether information is held on the relevant DH and DfEE lists of those considered unsuitable to work with children.  Enhanced Disclosures will be subject to an additional check of local police information.
    

7. The CRB will send the Disclosure to the applicant and a copy to the Counter signatory with the Registered/Umbrella Body (SVS)
    

8. SVS will inform the recruiting organisation by telephone or email when the disclosure has been received from the CRB, the original will then be forwarded by post to the named appointed person marked 'PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL'.
    

9. If the Disclosure is positive the recruiting organisation may wish to discuss the position with Southampton Voluntary Services, or the CRB on 0870 90 90 844.
    

10. The recruiting organisation should not discuss any additional information supplied with the applicant but should discuss any positive information within the Disclosure before either confirming or withdrawing the job offer/voluntary position.

What if the applicant does not agree with any of the content of the disclosure?

The applicant can appeal against any information on the Disclosure directly with the CRB and the CRB should notify them of this right when sending their Disclosure.

Self Employed Persons/Contractors

Please be aware that we are unable to carry out a CRB check for individuals or for a self employed person. However, they can obtain a "Subject Access" report from the police - this costs £10 and can be done in 40 days - it is based on Data Protection / Freedom of Information principles.  

www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/foi/dataprotection/

If you are a member organisation who is engaging a contractor such as a self employed cleaner, then the member organisation is able to request a CRB check for that individual through SVS.
 

For further information:
www.crb.gov.uk
 

Other useful websites

Apex Trust
St Alphage House
Wingate Annexe
2 Fore Street
London  EC2Y 5DA

Website:  www.apextrust.com

Publication 'Work Matters: A five point guide to employing people with a criminal record'.

Nacro
169 Clapham Rd
London SW9 OPU
Tel: 020 7582 6500

Website:  www.nacro.org.uk

Publication:  'Recruiting Safety'

Ofsted
Tel: 0845 601 4771

Ofsted is responsible for regulating childminding and day care for children under 8 in England.