I have noticed a general decline not only in the turn around time but also
the quality of some of the disclosures.  I use a system that allows me to
print the forms rather than handwrite, so I am surprised when I receive
disclosures with names misspelt etc which I then have to dispute.

Secondly, we must be very careful when processing CRB applications
that we stay in line with the Code of Practice and DPA.  As a
countersignatory we are "unambiguously responsible" for ensuring the
identity of the applicant  which we can only do by meeting the individual.
Also we should not be requesting sensitive personal data from people
who we are not entitlted to ask, eg applicants to courses before they
have received an unconditional offer.  I see no other time than enrolment
or registration when we can legitimately ask for the application.
--
Thank you and kind regards

Opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer

Rob Dawson
Institutional Compliance Officer
University College Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ

[log in to unmask]
Chichester House 002
Tel: 01244 392892
Fax: 01244 392821
http://www.chester.ac.uk/



Quoting Richard Bunce <[log in to unmask]>:

> Dear Rob
> Thank you for this advice which, predictably, has beaten to me the
> notification of this from CRB itself.   I doubt whether, unless the
> threshold is set at a ludicrously high level, it will affect us.    We're
> currently running at between 1300 and 1500 applications per year,
which is
> rising since we took on getting CRB clearances for all our security staff
> (employed by a subsidiary company that also trades commercially and
is
> getting SIA accreditation) AND we're set up as an umbrella body
(because,
> amongst other things,of the no of staff employed by subsids that we
have to
>
> process).
>
> Has anyone else noticed a deterioration in CRB's turn-round
performance
> this session?   I think that, after what seemed to be a better year in
> 2003/4, we're now back to the black days of 2002/3 - we still have about
50
>
> applications that we made last Sept/Oct that are outstanding, and it's
> playing havoc with professional courses where placements are
involved.  I
> am having to start looking at other ways to initiate this process, to see
> whether we can make the applications even earlier (ie before the
students
> actually register).   Maybe others are already doing this - but we've
> resisted it so far because it is a real pain to organise and could expose
> us to even greater costs of running the operation.
>
> Many thanks for all you do to keep us in touch in this area.
> rwb
>
> At 09:26 03/02/2005 +0000, you wrote:
> >Dear all
> >
> >The CRB have recently released posted two new items of 'Latest
News'
> >on their website
> >
> >The first relates to their annual report & accounts.  This can be
accessed
> >from the following link.
> >
> >http://www.crb.gov.uk/news/news.asp?
strAreaNo=320&intelement=875
> >
> >And more interestingly an item relating to the introduction of
measures to
> >reduce the number of Registered Bodies.  Link below.
> >
> >http://www.disclosure.gov.uk/index.asp?fuseaction=latestnews&id=96
> >
> >and
> >
> >http://www.crb.gov.uk/news/news.asp?
strAreaNo=320&intelement=883
> >
> >I was wondering what impact this could have on Universities and
> >whether HEI's were likely to be affected.
> >
> >I am happy to discuss any points raised at the next CRB Education
> >Subgroup.
> >
> >Your thoughts are appreciated.
> >--
> >Thank you and kind regards
> >
> >Opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my
employer
> >
> >Rob Dawson
> >Institutional Compliance Officer
> >University College Chester
> >Parkgate Road
> >Chester
> >CH1 4BJ
> >
> >[log in to unmask]
> >Chichester House 002
> >Tel: 01244 392892
> >Fax: 01244 392821
> >http://www.chester.ac.uk/
>
> Richard Bunce
> Senior Assistant Secretary  (Corporate Services)
> University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB
> DDI: +44 (0)1707 284904    Fax: +44 (0)1707 284918    Mob: 07845
079981
> (w.e.f. 1/1/05)
>