What is a CRB Check?
CRB stands for ‘Criminal Record Bureau’ process.
The proper name for the CRB check used by The FA is ‘Enhanced Disclosure’.
What is an Enhanced Disclosure?
An Enhanced Disclosure is a printed record containing information from the Police National Computer, local Police intelligence and a check of Government lists of those people banned from working with children.
The FA uses the information to help decide if a person is suitable to help in children’s football.
For more detailed information about Enhanced Disclosures click here
Is an Enhanced Disclosure the same as a Police check?
Different people call the CRB process by different names. The term ‘Police check’ is sometimes used.
It is not the same as a print out from the local Police station nor is not a ‘self declaration’ where people declare their history. It is much more detailed and a true record of the person’s history.
For more detailed information about Enhanced Disclosures click here
Why do people in football need to have a CRB check?
Not everyone in football needs to have a CRB check. The law requires that The FA ensures that we do not allow those who are banned from working with children to be involved in youth football. The CRB check is how The FA identifies people who are banned. It also allows The FA to make responsible recruitment decisions about whether people have significant histories that are a potential risk to children. If they do The FA can prevent them from being involved in youth football.
How do I know if I need to do an FA CRB Disclosure?
Those who are working directly with children and young people in football need to have an Enhanced CRB check. This means that if you care for, train, supervise or have sole care of children and young people under the age of 18 in football as part of your normal Club or County duties you do need to have an FA CRB check.
Look at the following list of roles in football, if you have one of these then it is likely that you will need to do an FA CRB check. Click on the role that best describes your position to find out more.
How do I get an FA CRB Disclosure?
To find out what to do click on the word below that best describes your position:
• Clubs applying for Charter Standard status
• Club Welfare Officer (not Charter Standard)
• Club Official (not Charter Standard)
• FACA member or applicant
• Coach
• Team Manager
• Referee
• Youth League Welfare Officer
• First Aider / Physiotherapist
• Regular Driver
• Youth League Official
• Parent helper
• Other
Many people do lots of different things in football. Choose the one you spend most time on.
You only need one FA CRB check to cover everything in affiliated youth football, no matter the number of roles you may have.
What is the minimum age for an FA CRB Disclosure?
The legal minimum age is ten years old but The FA does not recommend the process for anyone under 16.
For more information about minimum ages click on the title that best suits the young person’s role in football from the list above.
How much does it cost?
The FA charge is £12 for volunteers. This covers all the administration, advice, guidance and any actions needed as a result of the Disclosure
For those taking an income from the game the CRB charges an additional fee of £36. This money goes directly to the Home Office. This means if you are taking an income from the game the cost is a total of £48.
If you are not sure how much you should be paying email crb@TheFA.com for more guidance.
Why can’t The FA pay?
The FA invests huge amounts of money in protecting and safeguarding children in football. The FA believes the money is best spent on education, training, case management and all the other support services available for clubs and individuals.
I have got a check for my work. Do I need another one?
Yes. The FA has taken advice on this and there are real risks in carrying Disclosures from one job to another. For full information about the risks and dangers please click here
The FA hopes that a new Act (Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act) that comes in to being in September 2008 may make it easier to transfer checks from one post to another, but recognises this is currently not clear. As soon as The FA has more information we will update these FAQ’s.
I have got a check for my role in another sport/volunteer group. Do I need another one?
Yes. The FA has taken advice on this and there are real risks in carrying Disclosures from one job to another. For full information about the risks and dangers please click here
The FA hopes that a new Act (Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act) that comes in to being in September 2008 may make it easier to transfer checks from one post to another, but recognises this is currently not clear. As soon as The FA has more information we will update these FAQ’s.
How long does it take to get an FA CRB Disclosure?
This partly depends on the person applying but is likely to be about five weeks.
If the form is properly completed, identity properly checked and payment made the form will go to the CRB in Liverpool within 48 hours of processing at The FA CRB Unit.
For more information on how to fill in the form correctly click here to download the guidance.
If there are mistakes or there is missing information, the applicant will be contacted and asked to provide whatever is missing. It is up to the applicant whether they do this quickly and speed up the process or take their time and slow it down.
The CRB in Liverpool aim to issue 90% of Enhanced Disclosures within 35 days of receiving a properly completed and checked application.
You can now check the progress of your application on line. Go to www.crb.gov.uk and follow the links to on line tracking.
Why do some checks take longer than others?
You should not assume there is a problem if a Disclosure takes a long time. Delays may be due to a number of reasons:
• It could be that the person has had a lot of address changes
• There may be a number of people with the same name and date of birth and the Police have to get the correct record
• There may also be delays in the local Police forces. To see if there are delays in your area go to www.crb.gov.uk and enter ‘Police Performance’ as a search word. You can then click on your local force to see how they are doing.
To see where a Disclosure is in the CRB processes go to www.crb.gov.uk and follow the links for on line tracking.
The FA CRB Unit chases Disclosures after 60 days. It is not allowed to chase them before then.
What if there is something on The FA CRB Disclosure?
The FA is very fair and will only consider information that may have an impact on the safety of children.
Old and juvenile offences are not viewed as seriously as recent offences. Minor and financial crimes are usually disregarded.
Recent assaults, violence with prison sentences, sexual crimes and drug usage and supply are taken much more seriously. Every Disclosure is assessed on its own merits.
To speak to someone in confidence about your history telephone 0800 085 0506 you can also email crb@TheFA.com with your query.
To download a copy of The FA’s Policy on the ‘Recruitment of ex offenders’ from SL click here.
To find out more about the requirements on The FA to use Disclosures fairly and legally go to www.crb.gov.uk and follow ‘Quick Links’ to the Code of Practice.
What if the information on my CRB Disclosure is wrong?
This is called a dispute. You need to ring the Criminal Records Bureau in Liverpool 0870 90 90 778
The FA CRB Unit cannot make any changes on your behalf you must ring. For more information about the Dispute process click here
Who will see my Disclosure?
You will get a copy delivered to your home address and The FA will receive a copy.
If the copy is clear of information a record will be kept stating that you have completed the process and there is currently no known reason why you should not be accepted into football. Your Disclosure will then be destroyed immediately.
Neither your club nor County will be told what is on your Disclosure. If however you are suspended your Club and County will be told of the suspension.
Three times a year Clubs will be told who in their club has successfully completed the CRB process. This will come on a list to the Club Secretary. This is the only record the Club needs to keep of your Disclosure.
What happens if I change Clubs or register with a new County?
Speak to the Club Welfare Officer at the new club. S/he can complete a form and ask The FA CRB Unit if your check was acceptable. You do not need to show your Disclosure to anyone.
If the Club does not have a Club Welfare Officer ask a Club Official if they plan to start the process soon. You can direct them to this part of The FA website www.thefa.com/SafeguardingChildren .
I've got an FA CRB Disclosure but the school says I need another one to coach there. Why?
Different schools have different policies .They may accept an FA CRB check or they may want to do one of their own.
If you need more advice about this, email crb@TheFA.com or ring 0800 085 0506 with your question.
Where can I get more information?
For more about the CRB process visit www.crb.gov.uk or call general enquiries on 0870 90 90 811
To find out more about the law and ex offenders visit www.nacro.org.uk
To email an enquiry contact crb@TheFA.com or to speak with someone at The FA CRB Unit ring 0800 085 0506
To make a complaint about any aspect of the CRB process you need to decide if the complaint is about:
• The FA (e.g. about The FA’s CRB Policy or process once the Disclosure is issued)
• The company operating The FA CRB Unit, TMG (e.g. if you are unhappy about the service you have received)
• The Criminal Record Bureau in Liverpool (e.g. errors on your disclosure such as inaccurate conviction information)
The FA have a standard Child Protection Policy that they advice clubs to adopt. Clubs can download and amend the policy to support the Charter Standard Club application.
To download the FA child protection policy visit the Charter Standard section of the site (link).