20. How does our organisation register with the Criminal Records Bureau?

In order to get Enhanced and Standard Disclosures organisations need to become registered bodies. To register they will need to:

• pay a £300 fee
• satisfy the CRB that they are entitled to ask for the information under the Exceptions Order of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
• show that they have a code of practice vis a vis employing ex-offenders
• show that their confidentiality policy is clear about who will need to know information, how it will be stored, and when it will be destroyed.
• adhere to the CRB's strict code of practice

If the CRB is satisfied that all this is in place then the organisation need to nominate a lead signatory who has overall responsibility for checks and counter signatories. All signatories are checked by the CRB to the level of an enhanced disclosure to see if they have any offences that would make them unsuitable to receive confidential information. All applications for Enhanced and Standard Disclosures have to be signed by a signatory and the individual being checked.

Where appropriate an 'Umbrella' Body can register then sign on behalf of member organisations or register them as counter-signatories. It is anticipated that because of the costs involved a lot of voluntary organisations will try and get checks through an Umbrella Body and it is possible that organisations such as volunteer bureaux could provide this service to members. However the Umbrella Body has ultimate responsibility for checking that members are abiding by the code of practice and are dealing with Disclosure information strictly within the bounds of their confidentiality policy. Passing on information unless it is strictly necessary could be a criminal offence. Therefore organisations will need to think carefully about their relationship with their members and whether they have the authority to make sure that they are adhering to data protection and equal opportunity standards before taking on the umbrella role.

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