We guarantee that all applications are forwarded to the Criminal Records Bureau the same day that we receive the complete application forms. We use the CRB online tracking system enabling us to carefully monitor the progress of each application and provide our clients with regular progress report ensuring that we provide an efficient service to our clients at all times. Once an organisation has requested Acorn Direct to carry out CRB checks on their behalf and signed a company Service Level Agreement, we will issue them with the relevant support pack which includes:

◦CRB application forms
◦Copies of our Policy documents
◦The CRB Code of Practice
◦Guidance notes on completing the application forms
◦A list of identify verification documentation require by applicants
Workers and volunteers in certain professions and occupations have close contact or are in positions of trust with children or vulnerable adults. Alongside references, interviews and qualifications the CRB process helps the employer make an informed recruitment decision.

The CRB process enables the employer to access information from the police, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department of Health (DoH) in one single step.

There are three types of Disclosure, Basic, Standard and Enhanced. An Enhanced Disclosure is usually recommended for childcare and work with vulnerable adults.

Applicants are required to fill in a CRB form and produce a number of documents to confirm their identity. Acorn Direct then processes the form, checking for accuracy, countersigns it and forwards the form to the Government’s CRB centre in Liverpool where the checks against police, convictions and other records are completed. When the CRB agency in Liverpool has coordinated the enquiries, two copies of the Disclosure document are sent out. One copy goes to the applicant, the other to Acorn Direct. Acorn Direct check the contents of the Disclosure and forward either the Disclosure or the information contained in the Disclosure to the employer. In the event of the Disclosure revealing information, one of our specialist members of staff will contact the employer to help understand and manage the information revealed. To ensure a fast, efficient service, the whole process is managed on our in-house database.

How does it work?
Once your organisation has signed a Service Level Agreement, then a Support Pack can be sent out. One of our consultants is then assigned to that particular organisation/individual and carefully and closely guide then through each stage of the application procedure. You will need to nominate a person or persons to be our main contact. It is a criminal offence to break the Code of Practice, so we require all organisations accessing our services to sign an Acorn Direct Service Level Agreement, agreeing to abide by the CRB Code of Practice.

Please remember errors of any kind will delay the time that it takes to process your application! Always refer to the guidance notes and if you have any queries regards to completing the forms, please do not hesitate to contact us.

A Disclosure is a document containing impartial and confidential criminal history information held by the police and government departments which can be used by employers to make safer recruitment decisions.
Disclosure information could include:
◦ Details of criminal records
◦ Information about a persons inclusion on children's or adults' lists
◦ Other relevant information held by a local police force or Government Body
◦ Or state that there is no information
The information included on the document will depend on the type of disclosure applied for.
Types of disclosure

◦ Basic Disclosure contains only convictions considered unspent under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
◦ Standard Disclosure contains all conviction information, spent and unspent, including cautions.
◦ Enhanced Disclosure contains all conviction information, spent and unspent, and any other non conviction information considered to be relevant by the police or other Government bodies.