Thread: What's the score with (UK) CRB checks now? Needed, not needed, normal, enhanced?

Apologies, I guess this stuff has been discussed endlessly but alas the search function isn't fantastic and much of the info is old... Just wanted some information which I can be sure is up to date.

So, are CRB checks needed a) for jobs teaching kids, b) jobs teaching anyone, c) work permit/working visa etc. Or does it all depend on the school and province? Also is it an enhanced CRB that is needed or will a normal one suffice?

Originally Posted by pondy

Or does it all depend on the school

I think so. There's a rule stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when applying for a non-immigrant visa but it's hardly enforced. Immigration itself and Labour have no rules stating the necessity.

Thanks for your reply. Can anyone confirm?

Normal is "required" but not usually asked for other than some of the better employers.

It does NOT need to be authenticated (notarized or apostilled).

Bottom line: it won't hurt to have one - one from disclosure Scotland works fine if you do.

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Do you know for sure that the basic disclosure from disclosure scotland still works perfectly fine?

I understand Korean immigration recently started rejecting these, now insisting on a Subject Access Request..

T.I.T... not the ROK.

most of the time they aren't even asked for. If you are asked for one then the disclosure Scotland is fine.

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I was under the impression that they changed the rules recently, meaning if you want to apply for the "non B" visa in the U.K before you come to Thailand, then you must provide a copy of the police check to the Thai consulate/embassy in order to get the visa in the U.K

On the website for the Royal Thai Embassy in London it states the police certificate needs to be issued by the national police department, I believe disclosure scotland is a third party provider.

Originally Posted by arrowsmith

meaning if you want to apply for the "non B" visa in the U.K before you come to Thailand, then you must provide a copy of the police check to the Thai consulate/embassy in order to get the visa in the U.K

Unless things have changed drastically, go to Hull and get pretty much any visa you want.

2 times I have got Non-B visas from Birmingham, and both times they needed to see letter from employer, employer's company licence, etc...

2 times from Hull I have had a non-B, and one time a Non-O when I stated outright that I didn't have a job but would go to look for one. They said that there isn't really a visa that fits that common situation, so what visa would you like???

I popped into the Birmingham office last week and was told to bring my CRB with the other necessary paperwork when I decide to get my visa. I work with SEN kids so I already have an enhanced one from the Liverpool CRB team.

So it seems the consulates in the U.K are asking for the checks but if one applies from within Thailand (transfers from tourist visa) then it is less likely to be asked for?

Originally Posted by arrowsmith

but if one applies from within Thailand (transfers from tourist visa) then it is less likely to be asked for?

Recently, two new teachers in my school converted their Tourist Visas into Non-Immigrant B visas and were not asked for documents from the Criminal Records Bureau.

Originally Posted by pondy

So, are CRB checks needed

No - CRB checks would only be for those teaching/supporting/training children at schools and colleges in the UK, or for international schools particularly those following the British curriculum. You can't apply for a CRB yourself, they are applied for by registered providers on the teacher/support teacher/potential teacher's behalf and are valid for 6 months although most schools/colleges will accept ones done a year or more ago.
What you need for general teaching in Thailand is a subject access check, for example through disclosure Scotland.

"What you need for general teaching in Thailand is a subject access check, for example through disclosure Scotland."

Disclosure Scotland do not provide Subject Acess Checks, they provide a rudimentary background check called a Basic Disclosure.

A Basic Disclosure will show any unspent (as defined by the rehabilitation of offenders act) cautions, reprimands and convictions.

A Subject Access Check is an application directly to the police force for them to inform you of any information they hold about you on the Police National Computer (as they are obliged to do via the freedom of information act). This will detail all cautions, reprimands or convictions from any period whether spent or unspent. The subject access request therefore will have the same level of disclosure as a Standard Disclosure from the CRB and is more thorough than the Basic Disclosure from Disclosure Scotland.

CRB checks are accepted by the Thai authorities as far as I know, but you would have needed to previously have worked at a school/care home in the U.K in order to have got yourself one of these as a registered institution must apply on your behalf.

I am keen to know whether in Thailand the two checks that one can apply for individually (Subject Access and Basic Disclosure) are equally accepted and whether the authorities understand the difference. Although it is perfectly possible you may never get asked for either.

The Subject Acess is slowly becoming the standard document accepted for background checks. I am actually in the unfortunate position that I received a caution several years ago at uni for posession of a small amount of marijuana (long story but not a smoker myself) and this would show up on the Subject Acess but would not show up on the Basic Disclosure (because cautions are considered spent immediately). So I will have to go with the latter check and hope it is accepted should the Thai authorities ask for it.

Originally Posted by arrowsmith

I am keen to know whether in Thailand the two checks that one can apply for individually (Subject Access and Basic Disclosure) are equally accepted

I believe so - I strongly doubt they'd know the difference between the two. I mentioned Disclosure Scotland merely because it seems to be the easiest and quickest route to gain a background check.
CRB checks are accepted - but not necessary for immigration or employment purposes, except at international schools.