From 1st September 2012, the CRB introduced new identity checking guidelines. These new guidelines will apply to all applications for a CRB check.

The latest issued guidance can be downloaded from the homepage the Home Office website. You'll find more information under the 'Latest from the CRB' section including the details of a number of further updates to the accepted documents. These are:

• The current Non-UK Photo Driving Licence (Group 2a) - Now states that this can be used up to 12 months from the date the applicant entered the UK. Please note - This document may still be used to verify the identity for individuals prior to arriving in the UK.
• Work Permit/Visa (Group 2b) - Now states valid up to the expiry date.
• The letter from the head teacher/College Principal (Group 2b) - Now states 16 - 19 year olds but must be UK only.

The Home Office website also includes the latest FAQs and updated scenarios to help determine when an ID documentation check has been completed.

The Criminal Records Bureau has recently commissioned a survey by a leading research company to build up accurate and timely information about the level of their customers’ satisfaction. This is the most recent in a long line of research programmes designed to keep the CRB fully informed about the behaviour of their customers, with registered and umbrella bodies contacted by an independent research company by phone between February and March 2012 and asked a series of questions.

The primary aim of the CRB is to provide a high level of service that protects children and vulnerable adults from individuals who are being recruited into a position of care. It is only by carrying out independent research in this way that the Criminal Records Bureau can measure whether they are achieving this objective.

This year’s research showed that:

• 92% of CRB applicants were satisfied with the level of service they received, whilst 62% were very satisfied;
• Over eight out of ten recipients were pleased with their CRB check turnaround time;
• 89% of applicants believed the CRB was having a positive influence on the protection vulnerable adults and children receive in the UK;
• More than nine out of ten organisations admitted that CRB checks improve their ability to protect vulnerable adults;
• In the past ten years over 151,000 unsuitable people have been prevented from securing employment in a role which supports vulnerable adults or children.

These results are an extremely positive sign for the Criminal Records Bureau, showing that the service they currently provide is highly valued by their customers and meets or surpasses their expectations in the majority of cases. A copy of the full research report is available on the Home Office website.

The Glamorgan Business School hosted a Freshers Welcome event for all new business students starting their studies for the first time at the University.  With many new students having mixed emotions about leaving home, the welcome event was put in place to help new starters feel confident and comfortable with their new surroundings. The event also provided students with the opportunity to meet other new students and academic staff in an informal setting.

Held in the Students’ Union, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Society, Monica Gibson-Sweet began the event by greeting new students. This initial welcome was followed by the presentation of two scholarships as part of the Business Opportunities Scholarships Scheme.  This unique scheme was provided by two local businesses Complete Background Screening (CBS) and Big Country Adventures Ltd to help provide financial support towards the cost of tuition fees.

The Scheme, known as the BOSS Scheme is an innovative approach to creating the business leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow for applicants applying to undergraduate courses at the Glamorgan Business School. Led by Pontypridd-based company Complete Background Screening (CBS), the scholarship scheme offers a unique package of financial support and mentoring for aspiring business students.

Eligible to undergraduate applicants, the scheme awards scholarships to applicants who can demonstrate a unique flair for business as well as a passion for the subject.

The applicants were required to submit an essay on ' Why I deserve the BOSS scholarship ’ in no more than 500 words. The winning applicant, Laura Haighway, was awarded £1000 by Rachel Bedgood, Director of CBS to help with the cost of her studies. In addition the runner-up, Christopher Kane was presented with a further cheque of £500 funded by Big Country Motocross Ltd. 

Dean of the Faculty of Business and Society, Monica Gibson-Sweet commented: “We greatly appreciate the ongoing support that Rachel Bedgood has provided in establishing the Business Opportunities and Scholarship Scheme (BOSS) which has provided two of our first year students with an extremely valuable financial contribution to their university studies. It would be fantastic if more companies would come forward to support these scheme and help more students to achieve their dreams of a university education”

Rachel Bedgood added: “I am extremely pleased to be part of such a worthwhile and valuable scheme.  We welcome and commend any individuals who are committed to contributing and development business in our area. CBS provide services of pre-employment screening and CRB checks to small local companies through to multi-national blue-chip organisations.  Our continued growth and success is down to simple fundamental methods, one of which is due to our office base in Ynysybwl, Pontypridd -  keeping our overheads low and providing a vital service to the UK and overseas market.  I would like to wish the winning students the very best for the future and look forward to their growth and development within this sometimes tough industry.  Their contribution to our currently struggling economy is certainly welcomed. ”

Following the recent customer feedback from our clients, we would like to thank you very much for taking the time to complete our recent survey.  We have processed all of the data received and are extremely pleased with the results received. Addressing any issues raised by our clients and providing excellent customer service is paramount to the success of our organisation.

The results of survey were as follows:

100%   Agree CBS Staff are friendly and helpful

98%    Agree CBS Provide excellent customer service

97%    Agree CBS provide an invaluable service to their business

99%    Would recommend the services to CBS

42%    Requested further information regarding the additional services CBS provide.

Any organisations wishing to receive further information regarding the services provided by our organisation please email rachelb@cbscreening.com or contact our office on 01443 799900.

12%    Suggested ways for CBS to improve their current services.

CBS have written to all clients who provided feedback regarding suggestions for CBS to improve services and would like to address the most commonly raised points:


Point 1:    Additional support for first time users of the system

In relation to this point CBS are currently addressing the guidelines documents issued at the point of registration and also liaising with our IT Department in order to introduce help buttons on the online system.  Additionally, we would like to reiterate our commitment to first line customer support and would encourage all clients to contact us via telephone where we would be pleased to walk you through the process and provide any required guidance.


Point 2:    Employer to receive hard copies of criminal certificates

As an ebulk provider, meaning we can process CRB applications on line approved by the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, we are able to provide huge benefits to processing and completion times of CRB Disclosures as well as removing the margin for human error and avoiding any applications to be returned from the CRB.  As the process is entirely electronic, the CRB do not return hard copy certificates for criminal disclosures where no information is required to be disclosed.  In every instance the individual will receive a copy sent to their home address, however, only if the status reads in ‘in post’ will the employer receive a copy.  ‘No match’ means the CRB have no information to disclose and the CRB check is clear.  ‘In post’ means there is information the CRB would like to advise the employer which can not be transmitted electronically due to a risk of security, therefore a hard copy will follow in the post.  Any organisations who believe receiving a hard copy certificate is critical to their processes may wish to opt for previous paper-based methods of processing which we of course happy to provide.


Point 3:    Cost of CRB processing

Please be advised the fees to access the CRB and DS Disclosure service are set by the Criminal Records Bureau and Disclosure Scotland respectively and are out of the control of CBS.  However, CBS are conscious of the financial commitment many organisations have to make in order to comply with regulations and legislation and acknowledge the processes can often become expensive when undertaking high volumes of criminal checks.  Therefore, CBS are committed to the consideration of reductions in administrations costs to long standing customers who submit volume applications.  If you would like to apply for a reduction in administration costs please contact Rachel Bedgood via email who will be able to consider your circumstances and authorise any changes to your account (rachelb@cbscreening.com).



CBS strive to achieve outstanding services to all clients by implementing online, streamlined processes and first line customer support, we were pleased to receive the following comments from some of our clients:

~ Thank you for your continued support and business we look forward to working with you in the future ~