Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
The University of Chester, and other Higher Education Institutions who offer programmes of study where students engage in Regulated Activity, are required to ensure that these students are suitable through a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure and, in some cases, are provisionally registered with the appropriate Professional or Regulatory Body.
If you study on one of the programmes listed below you are required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure of criminal records through the CRB; a fee is charged which you will be expected to pay.
Once you have been accepted onto a place at the University, we will write to you with further instructions on how to apply for a CRB Disclosure through the University as a CRB Registered Body. Applications for CRB checks are made on-line; following which, you will be required to attend a CRB signing session at the University so that you can provide your proof of identity, a cheque for the fee and sign the disclosure application form. Dates of the signing sessions for the coming year are given below.
Please note that the University does not currently accept CRB checks from any other employer and therefore you will have to apply for a new check for your studies through the University as a Registered Body.
You will also be expected to self declare any cautions, convictions or any other matter that may have a bearing on your suitability to undertake Regulated Activity. The relevant self declaration form must be completed to declare whether you have any convictions. The relevant form is available in the downloads section.
- Applicants applying for ITT programmes should complete the ITT-Suitability Form
- Applicants for Nursing, Midwifery or Social Work should complete the HSC-Self Declaration Form
- Applicants for other programmes that require CRB should complete the Others-CCD form.
- Applicants for positions of employment, that require a CRB Check, should seek further guidance from Human Resources.
A copy of the disclosure will be sent to the college and yourself. You will need to retain your copy to show your employer or placement provider if requested to do so.
Any matters revealed either by you or the CRB will be considered by the Programme Leader and may affect the University’s offer of a place. The nature of the disclosure is carefully considered and an appropriate course of action is determined and taken. In determining this action the NACRO guidance ‘Recruiting Safely’ is taken into account. While most matters will not automatically preclude an applicant from commencing study, the University reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place to anyone who fails to provide a satisfactory CRB check. Moreover, failure to declare a conviction etc. that is subsequently revealed on a CRB check may also affect your offer of a place.
Your guarantee of a place at the University of Chester remains provisional pending a receipt of satisfactory CRB clearance through the University. This condition remains in place irrespective of whether you have enrolled or commenced studies. The University may terminate studies if information comes to light that may have a bearing on your suitability to work with Children or Vulnerable Adults.
Programmes of study that require CRB Clearance
How do I complete my University CRB Application?
Full details of how to complete the CRB application may be found by clicking on this link: How to Complete Your CRB Application or on the link at the right of this page. Please ensure that you read the instuctions carefully before applying.
Dates of CRB signing sessions
You should only attend a signing session once you have received a letter from the University requesting that you apply for a CRB Disclosure and have completed the form on-line. However, it is imperative that you attend the signing session. Failure to do so may result in serious implications for your continued enrolment on the programme. This process MUST be completed before the commencement of your studies.
The following CRB Signing Sessions have been announced:
- PGCE (all programmes) - 30 June 2012 at 14:00 in CSH103
- PGCE (all programmes) - 29 July 2012 at 14:00 in Room TBA
- September 2012 entry all programmes - 22,23,29 & 30 August
- Existing students registering for WB5001 will find the dates, times and venue of the signing sessions on the module space in Portal.
All student signing sessions will take place in Senate House room CSH103 or in CSH104 and CSH105 on the University’s Chester Campus, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ.
- Applicants for positions of employment should contact Human Resources to arrange a signing session
Due to limited space available for queuing you are requested not to attend for the signing session before the start time above to avoid excessive waiting.
Applicants should note that they may also be required to complete other relevant checks to demonstrate suitability or fitness to practice including completion of an Occupational Health Assessment.
Track your CRB Application
If you have completed a CRB application through the Univerity and attended a signing session you will receive an email advising you that the form has been dispatched to the CRB. You track the progress of your application at the CRB using the following link: https://secure.crbonline.gov.uk/enquiry/
