Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks

Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, all health and adult social care providers as part of their registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check.

Since 2006, primary dental care providers with an NHS contract were required to have a CRB disclosure countersigned by the PCT which manages the contract. To avoid duplication, CQC has adopted a policy of accepting PCT countersigned CRBs for primary dental care providers. This means that the majority will not need to obtain a new CRB disclosure in order to register with us. They can declare their current one, countersigned by the PCT.

For providers without an NHS contract, the disclosure must be countersigned by CQC. Registered managers must also obtain a CRB disclosure countersigned by CQC, unless the manager is the same person as the provider and already has a PCT countersigned CRB in that capacity (e.g. one of the partners in a partnership may also take on the role of manager).
In order for CQC to countersign the criminal records check, proof of identity is required. To undertake this arrangement, the Post Office is able to check identities on its behalf. This increases the number of places where this can be completed, making it more convenient for providers.

There are currently 27 national "crown" Post Offices which offer this service. From 1 November 2010, 73 additional offices will ensure a wider network is available to cope with the demand for this mandatory check.

We are constantly reviewing the service and will continue to work with the Post Office to increase the number of offices that offer this service.

Please visit www.cqc.org.uk/crb to find your nearest post office.

For more infomation on CRB and the CQC please go here: http://www.cqc.org.uk/contentdisplay.cfm?widCall1=customWidgets.content_view_1&cit_id=36436