CRBS/ Disclosure Scotland Process

The CRBS handles all disclosures for voluntary organisations in Scotland and is funded by the Scottish Government. It is the Registered Body for ‘Disclosure Scotland’ through which the CAS obtains Disclosures for applicants in our member denominations in Scotland.

THE PROCEDURES
The procedures are similar but not the same as England and Wales. They require the concentration and commitment from the applicant and a verifier.

Information for the applicant

 You should ask your employer, minister, pastor or overseer at which level you should be applying for a disclosure – Enhanced or Standard.
 Guidance on this is in your denomination/ organisation’ literature or on the web site. In broad terms the CRBS Disclosure Scotland require that for an Enhanced Disclosure you need to be in regular face to face contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults; having responsibility for or potential for being in sole charge. The Standard Disclosure is recommended for those with less frequent contact and less responsibility for children, such as caretakers or cleaners.
 You need to check whether your minister, deacon, employer or overseer has the CRBs/Disclosure Scotland forms and CAS form for you. If your church is recruiting several people they may order a supply of forms through the denomination or from us here at CAS office. Methodist may order packs of Scotland applications (any number) from MPH on 01733 325002, www.mph.org.uk or sales@mph.org.uk.
 In addition, you should be given the CAS form which you and the verifier complete which is necessary for us to process your application.  These forms should be found in the denominational literature or on your relevant denomination/organisations web site. 
 On the new Disclosure Scotland forms (which have the compulsory sections highlighted in yellow), the applicant completes Sections A and B and C in full.  They may complete Section D1 to say wther they are working as a volunteer or not.  If they are in a paid position they can complete lines D2 and D3.  Section E should be left completely blank. 
 You need to take the forms and ID documents to the verifier in person. See below for ID verification documents.

Information for the verifier

 As someone authenticating the ID for a Disclosure Scotland check you are acting with responsibility in the process of recruiting a volunteer or staff member. Your organisation should already have had completed application forms from the applicant and referees should be followed up. A job description should also have been given to the applicant, for a paid or a voluntary post.
 These procedures are required to fulfill the CRBS/ Disclosure Scotland Code of Practice but they are also essential for safer recruitment. 
 You will need to check the identity verification documents of the applicant according to CRBS guidance. This requires at least two documents. This will include at least one photo ID such as a Passport or Driving Licence (photo card) and at least one address confirmation such as a utility bill, Driving licence or official letter such as Inland Revenue or Benefits office. Utility bills and Bank Statements should be issued within the last 3 months, (6 months for some official documents). Other documents you may use are listed in the guidance.
 The verifier completes only CAS form and Documentary Evidence Sheet. Check the documents the applicant has provided against the name, Date of birth and address given on the Disclosure Scotland form. You do not complete any part of the Disclosure Scotland form.

CAS FORMS
1)  The CAS form is necessary as we act on behalf of 11 denominations and have thousands of verifiers throughout the country. This form tells us who the verifier is and certifies the verifier has seen the applicant and suitable documents. 
2)  Disclosure Scotland applications (to CRBS) require a documentary evidence sheet for Scotland.
3)  The verifier should complete and sign the CAS form and evidence sheet for Scotland with the applicant.

Downloads:
 Disclosure form for Scotland
 Guidance on completing Disclosure Scotland Application forms from CRBS

CAS form for Scotland

FEES
The charge for processing applications for those in a paid position in Scotland is £20.00. If you are in a paid role the cheque should be made payable to ‘Disclosure Scotland’ and enclosed with your application. Fees for ministers and deacons will be collected centrally so there is no need for a cheque to be sent for these two roles.

All forms should be sent to:
 Churches’ Agency for Safeguarding, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR. Do not send anything directly to CRB.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
1)  If your forms are correctly completed your form will be checked at the CAS, we will countersign it and forward it to the CRBS. If there is an error, it will be returned to the applicant for correction by them or the verifier.
2)  When the applicant receives their Disclosure, they and their verifier will shortly afterwards receive a letter from us. If you are ‘employed’ or ‘appointed’ centrally (e.g. ministers) then only you and the central office will receive a letter. If this does not happen, please contact us.
See also What happens to your Disclosure & CRB procedures

NEW SCOTTISH LEGISLATION
Protection of Children Act (Scotland) 2003
In 2003 the Scottish parliament introduced a bill which makes it illegal to knowingly employ someone with access to children, who has an offence against children on their record or who has been dismissed, moved or disciplined having caused harm or risk of harm to a child and is on a list held by the Scottish Executive. The Act also requires all bodies who have dismissed, moved or disciplined someone for such an offence or serious employment matter to report these to the Scottish Government for inclusion on the list. The latter part is to be retrospective, but at present does not apply across the border. Nevertheless, any British/UK wide body needs to take account of these in so far as national employee or appointees are concerned.

 Scottish process - Protection of Children Act Scotland 2003

 New POSCA legislation  New training pack now available

 Disclosure applications (CRBS) Disclosure applications (SCRO Disclosure Service)