Reply to: CRB check

[minestrone]

There are 2 types of CRB check,

Disclosure Scotland-which checks for unspent convictions, and a Full CRB check which discloses everything.

Usually a full CRB check can only be requested if you are in an excepted occupation, as per link provided by Sue Ellen.

The controversy arises when clients/agencies submit requests for a Full CRB check stating an excepted job title which differs to the actual non-excepted job title. This smacks of abuse of the system.

Disclosure Scotland checks for naughty boy cautions and full on convictions.

Somehow I have got through life with an empty record on both which my last client was quite adamant they wanted to know and never bothered checking the form.

Police records are quite different and check out when you were 'booked' which is nothing more than having you name taken when you got drunk or reported a crime. Clients will never check for that nor ask.

I wrote a great deal of these systems with police staff who were on the database for drunken mistermeaners themselves.

[SueEllen]

Can you tell them yourCo is responsible for checking all employees meet any required status - if your client requires everyone to be checked then maybe your company should check you.

Nope.

Won't work.

Any company regulated by the FSA has to have processes in place to ensure that the workers they hire aren't likely to commit fraud, just like if you have to be security cleared personally to do defence work.

[lukemg]

As a matter of course I would go along with these checks for 2 reasons - I have nothing to hide and I want to keep them on my side.
However, I could also find many reasons to delay the return of these forms, including just ignoring them till chased, followed by not having the documents, all at parents house, might be in the loft, not planning to visit for a while etc etc.
Especially if I was only a few weeks away from finishing. You have to play the game sometimes...

[d000hg]

Can you tell them yourCo is responsible for checking all employees meet any required status - if your client requires everyone to be checked then maybe your company should check you.

[dan99]

Basic Disclosure for contract jobs

Any one know if inv banks do a basic disclosure check for all IT contract jobs? I have an 'unspent' one which will show up in the basic disclosure - but want to know if all such employers do such a disclosure.

[perplexed]

Just an update for those concerned.

Well, for my sanity.

Queried it yesterday with agent; she said it wasn't needed for our roles based on her understanding of our contracts, which is entirely true. She'd query it with the accounts manager.

A few hours later, company invokes notice period. And now today, querying the timesheet even though it's kosher.

I'm not too upset, tbh, got an interview elsewhere on Monday anyway, longer term contract, higher paid and I know for a fact this other company deals well with contractors.

I've done what I can to neuter any "potentially inside IR35" requests the company have made, but it has to be said their business knowledge is almost as good as the quality of software they produce...

[SueEllen]

Got the document in front of me, all it says is "apply for a CRB check and/or to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority".

Got the CRB logo, Liverpool address at the top, the form address reads
"Vero Screening Ltd" in Hove if that's any further info?

The firm does both checks so that doesn't really help. Vero Employee Screening Products & Services

[craig1]

There won't be an extension. At least one contractor has been asked to go permie. End client don't seem to be the most aware about contractors and the differences from permies.

Even if an extension was offered, it would be refused, tbh.

I guess my concern is more along the lines of having any form in the hands of clueless people which has no relevance whatsoever to the terms of the contract or work arising in the duration of that contract, which has been applied as a blanket "future tender" check purely to answer questions their future clients may have. Especially when permies and contractors are being treated precisely the same way in this matter.

If the contract required CRB - which it doesn't - then I'd have been happy to have filled out the required form prior to starting the gig.

In that case, be firm. "Sorry, you'll need to negotiate that with my agency". Then tell the agency that they're not going to renew you so you're not going to play along. Also, it's worth pointing out that even if you did fill the thing in that you'd most likely be out of the company before the certificate arrived!

[perplexed]

Got the document in front of me, all it says is "apply for a CRB check and/or to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority".

Got the CRB logo, Liverpool address at the top, the form address reads
"Vero Screening Ltd" in Hove if that's any further info?

[pootle]

Today, a line manager at the end client dumped on our desks CRB forms.

To assuage pen pushers audit requirements at the client, staff need CRB checking.

Really reluctant to do it.

Why?

There are 2 types of CRB check,

Disclosure Scotland-which checks for unspent convictions, and a Full CRB check which discloses everything.

Usually a full CRB check can only be requested if you are in an excepted occupation, as per link provided by Sue Ellen.

The controversy arises when clients/agencies submit requests for a Full CRB check stating an excepted job title which differs to the actual non-excepted job title. This smacks of abuse of the system.

[perplexed]

You are going about it the wrong way. Hand the information to the client and thank him for the extension. The statement "I assume the contract extension paperwork is in the post" should suitable scare them.

There won't be an extension. At least one contractor has been asked to go permie. End client don't seem to be the most aware about contractors and the differences from permies.

Even if an extension was offered, it would be refused, tbh.

I guess my concern is more along the lines of having any form in the hands of clueless people which has no relevance whatsoever to the terms of the contract or work arising in the duration of that contract, which has been applied as a blanket "future tender" check purely to answer questions their future clients may have. Especially when permies and contractors are being treated precisely the same way in this matter.

If the contract required CRB - which it doesn't - then I'd have been happy to have filled out the required form prior to starting the gig.

[BolshieBastard]

Bolshie, the point being that CRB is not needed for this role.

It was firmly indicated in the email that it's an "audit issue" and so the client can answer any questions arising from any future tendering processes - all of which are irrelevant to this role, which ends in less than two months time.

I appreciate CRB may not be needed for the role. However, if the client wants it, your options are to agree or risk potentially being walked off site and any extension withdrawn.

Is it worth the risk? In my last two finance jobs, I've had to have Scottish Disclosure (the scots version of CRB). The role didnt warrant it imo but I completed it all the same. If I didnt, I wouldnt have got the job.

[SueEllen]

Bolshie, the point being that CRB is not needed for this role.

It was firmly indicated in the email that it's an "audit issue" and so the client can answer any questions arising from any future tendering processes - all of which are irrelevant to this role, which ends in less than two months time.

I was about to ask you what role you did that you required a CRB check.

However as you aren't in one then it's an abuse of the system. I would be tempted to ask the client directly in writing - why you are being asked to be CRB checked as you aren't working directly with the groups - children, elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people - that the checking is for.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employme...wjob/DG_195809

[eek]

Bolshie, the point being that CRB is not needed for this role.

It was firmly indicated in the email that it's an "audit issue" and so the client can answer any questions arising from any future tendering processes - all of which are irrelevant to this role, which ends in less than two months time.

You are going about it the wrong way. Hand the information to the client and thank him for the extension. The statement "I assume the contract extension paperwork is in the post" should suitable scare them.

[perplexed]

Bolshie, the point being that CRB is not needed for this role.

It was firmly indicated in the email that it's an "audit issue" and so the client can answer any questions arising from any future tendering processes - all of which are irrelevant to this role, which ends in less than two months time.