CRB: applicants safe from unnecessary checks

01/09/2008

Job applicants are safe from potential employers unnecessarily checking their data, the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has said.

Responding to claims its data was made available to recruiters the bureau said all applicants were first asked to give their consent to checks being made.

"Guidance is available to all individuals before completing the form to clarify whether a disclosure is appropriate and what information they are obliged to supply the employer," it commented.

"A disclosure, once issued is not public property and there are strict rules about what can happen to that information."

The Sunday Times had alleged data was on sale from some of the CRB's registered bodies.

"Some offer unlawful checks of potential business partners and staff, ranging from web designers to clerical workers," the publication claimed

The bureau announced that the reduction of its Registered Body network last year has already improved the situation and "ongoing monitoring" will help ensure employers only make appropriate applications.

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