HOME OFFICE News
Release (066/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 17
April 2009
A new electronic
application system bringing faster results to its largest
customers was launched today by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
Customers who make more than 3,000 checks a year can now use
e-Bulk to send multiple applications and receive the results electronically.
Annually the CRB completes more than 3.5 million checks against
criminal records and lists of those barred from working with the
vulnerable, with 50 per cent of applications coming from just 265
organisations. Those high-volume customers have been offered use
of the e-Bulk system - bringing many benefits, which include:
* faster results - the e-Bulk service will reduce the average
processing time by around five days;
* fewer forms to complete - customers can integrate the CRB
requirements into their own recruitment processes and application form;
* reduced inaccuracy - all information sent via e-Bulk is
automatically checked for completeness reducing errors; and
* electronic results - certificates that do not contain
conviction information are returned electronically.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker, said:
"The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) plays a vital role in
helping deliver increased protection of the vulnerable, having
stopped more than 80,000 unsuitable people working with children
and vulnerable adults in the past four years.
"The launch by the CRB of its new online application process
e-Bulk for its core customers shows it continues to actively
listen to their needs and has delivered a service that meets those needs."
Since 2002, the CRB has helped organisations in the public,
private and voluntary sectors identify those who may be unsuitable
to work with the vulnerable. It has issued more than 18 million
checks stopping more than 80,000 unsuitable people working with
these groups.
Adele Townsend, CRB Director, said:
"The launch of our first electronic application system
represents a significant milestone for the Criminal Records Bureau
(CRB) and demonstrates our commitment to make all of our services
accessible electronically.
"This is an exciting time for the CRB and I am proud to have
Girlguiding UK as our first customer of this new service."
The e-Bulk service was developed in response to customer feedback
in 2007, which revealed more than two-thirds of customers wanted
to be able to submit multiple applications online and more than
four-fifths would like to submit single applications via the
website. The launch of the service is a step towards delivering
the CRB's objective to make all of its services available electronically.
Of the 34 customers who have signed up to the new service,
Girlguiding UK is the first one to use it.
Denise King, Chief Executive of Girlguiding UK, said:
"Parents trust our organisation because we have a sound
recruitment process which includes Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
checks. This new service will provide real benefits, not only to
us as an organisation but also to our young members and
volunteers. This new e-application channel will help us reduce
bureaucracy, improve quality and speed up the process."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The CRB launched its Online Tracking service on 14 January
2008. For more information about this, visit the CRB website at http://www.crb.gov.uk/tracking/
2. The CRB provides access to criminal records information
through its disclosure service. It enables organisations in the
public, private and voluntary sectors to make safer recruitment
decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for
certain work, especially that involving children or vulnerable adults.
3. Research has shown nine out of ten people say anyone working
or volunteering with vulnerable groups should be checked and more
than 70 per cent think the CRB helps protect the vulnerable. In
addition three out of four people are more likely to use a
business if staff have been CRB checked.
4. For more information on Criminal Records Disclosures, visit http://www.crb.gov.uk/
5. For more information on the Girlguiding UK, visit http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/
6. Organisations that have signed up to use e-Bulk:
* Allied Healthcare Group Ltd
* Alphacare Logistics Ltd
*
Association For Real Change
* Assuramed Healthcare
*
Atlantic Data
* Buckinghamshire County Council
* Capita
Education Resourcing
* Care Check
* Cheshire County
Council
* Churches Child Protection Advisory Service
*
Churches Safeguarding Agency
* Disclosure Services
* Due
Diligence Checking Ltd
* East Riding Of Yorkshire
Council
* East Sussex County Council
* Girlguiding
UK
* Harwin Associates Limited
* Mg Care Executive
*
Nestor
* Norfolk County Council
* Reed Education
*
Reed Health Ltd
* Reg Nursing Home Assoc Ltd
* Solicitors
Regulation Authority
* Staffordshire County Council
* The
Scout Association
* Tmgcrb
* United Kingdom Home Care
Association Ltd
* United Medicare Ltd
* Vt Support
Services Limited
* Wales Council For Voluntary Action
*
Wandsworth Borough Council Children's Service
* Wcva
Cru
* Wiltshire County Council Social Services Department