CRB disclosures advice re access by CSCI

The subject of access to CRB Disclosures by CSCI inspectors has been a matter of discussion for many months and has now been finally resolved.

CSCI inspectors have a responsibility to ensure that all registered providers are obtaining CRB disclosures as part of their recruitment procedures. CRB standard guidelines to Registered Bodies rightly place stringent constraints on the safe storage and destruction of disclosures since they can contain extremely sensitive information about people. There was a relaxation of this guidance in respect of extending the retention period to twelve months and authorisation of CSCI inspectors to see the documents but this has now been changed.

CSCI have been advised legally at a national level that their inspectors do not have a right to ask to see disclosures. In order to satisfy the need for inspectors to ensure that disclosures are being obtained, every organisation must maintain a record of disclosures received which conforms to the CRB restrictions. The only items of information which may held beyond the six month limit on disclosures are Applicant’s Name, Job Title, Disclosure Type, Date of Disclosure, and Disclosure Number. Providers must also keep a record of the date of application for every disclosure. We are advised that the filing of this information by providers within their personnel files will satisfy inspectors regarding disclosures. Where inspectors have any further concerns they can of course still ask for all personnel information under Section 31 of the Care Standards Act 2000.