19. What kind of Police Checks can we get from the Criminal Records Bureau?

There are three levels of checks: The first are Enhanced Disclosures. These are for posts involving substantial contact with children or vulnerable adults regularly training, supervising or being in sole charge of individuals or groups. Also for individuals seeking gaming or lottery licences or judicial appointments. The Disclosures contain details of all convictions current or spent as well as details of cautions reprimands or warnings. They also detail inclusion on the lists held by the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Health (the Protection of Children Act (POCA) list) of individuals unsuitable to work with children. In addition to this they will also contain any other 'relevant' information held by the police, including so-called 'soft' information.

The second are Standard Disclosures which are for posts involving regular contact with vulnerable people and people entering 'positions of trust' such as accountancy and veterinary professions. The Standard Disclosure will be the same as the Enhanced Disclosure but without the addition of extra information held by the police.

The final level is the Basic Disclosure, which is available for anyone. It contains details of convictions, which are 'unspent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Enhanced and Standard Disclosures are currently available and will only be issued to registered organisations for posts which fit the requirements. Disclosures are posted out to the organisation and to the individual. The introduction of Basic Disclosures has been postponed indefinitely.

You can contact the Criminal Records Bureau Information Line 0870 90 90 811 or the Disclosure website for more details: www.disclosure.gov.uk