Criminal Record Checks

Who are the CRB?
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is an executive agency of the Home Office, who provide employers and organisations access to criminal record information through their disclosure service.

Individuals are unable to apply for a check themselves, so you will need to do it through us. As a CRB umbrella body, we will do all the work for you. We are bound by the guidelines set out by the CRB Code of Practice that makes sure that all disclosed information is handled fairly and used properly.

An enhanced check will provide us with:

• Any information held on the Police National Computer such as current and spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings (for England, Wales, Scotland & some from Northern Ireland)
• Relevant and proportional information (including non-conviction) held by local police forces.
• The check will also include information from:
  • Protection of Children Act List
  • Protection of Vulnerable Adults List
  • Information held under Section 142 of the Education Act 2002

Why do you have to have a Criminal Record Check?
You only have to be checked if you have signed up to one of our community volunteer projects. We send a lot of volunteers to community projects that involve working closely with children and vulnerable adults. We therefore feel that ethically it is our responsibility to make sure that the people we are helping are protected from anyone who might be unsuitable.

So, anyone who is volunteering and intending on working with children in any respect (teaching/ orphanage/ sports etc) or vulnerable adults, will need to have an enhanced CRB check before they will be able to go out to the project.

How is it done?
If you need to have a CRB check, you will be sent a form to fill out, which you will then need to return to us. We will check the form for you and countersign it on your behalf before sending it off to the CRB. There is no charge for this process.

One copy of the disclosure will be sent to us at Real Gap and one copy will be sent to you.

If you do have a criminal conviction that is not relevant to the volunteer work that you wish to carry out, you are protected by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Real Gap closely follows the guidance information set out on this issue by the CRB and CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).

What happens if I'm not approved?
Real reserve the right to delay or postpone your programme until the Criminal Records check has been completed and are not responsible for any delays in this process or costs incurred. If you have a relevant conviction, Real reserve the right to cancel your placement. In this instance, our cancellation terms and conditions will apply, please see our: Terms-and-Conditions.

 CRB Guidance