LICENSING AND CRB CHECKS

One of the criteria required by the ASA teacher/coach licensing scheme relates to the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.  This is a complex issue and the following guidance is intended to clarify some of the evidence requirements which applicants are required to submit.  When developing the detail of the CRB check in respect of licensing the ASA consulted with the Child Protection in Sport Unit which was established by Sport England to provide help and support in this area.  It is almost inevitable that the guidance below will not cover every eventuality and some evidence may need to be considered on an individual basis.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Does everybody applying for an ASA teacher/coach license need a CRB check?

A. Yes.  There are no exceptions to this and police checks (some police departments still offer this service) are not acceptable as they are not considered to be sufficiently comprehensive.

Q. My CRB certificate is 7 months old.  Is this acceptable?

A. No.  The advice given to the ASA is that 6 months is the absolute maximum in respect of what can be accepted.  Anybody with a CRB certificate older than 6 months is required to get a new one.  This will then be valid for the lifespan of the license i.e. 3 years.

Q. I applied for my CRB check through my employer and it is less than 6 months old.  Is this acceptable?

A. Yes, to a point.  The ASA will be required to write to the employer to check that there are no outstanding issues which have been revealed to the employer but which will not have appeared on the certificate.  Assuming that there are no issues the certificate will be accepted.  There will be a slight charge for this of £10.00 (see also costs).

Q. I am a volunteer who works in an ASA affiliated club.  What is the cost of a CRB Check?

A. As a volunteer working in an affiliated club the service is provided free of charge.  You will need to sign that you do not receive any remuneration for teaching/coaching from your club and no remuneration for any teaching/coaching carried out for any external organisation e.g. local authority learn to swim scheme, private swim scheme.

Q. I work as a volunteer in an affiliated club but also teach/coach swimming for my local authority.  Can I get a free CRB check through the ASA?

A. No.  The ASA is only allowed to process, at no cost to the individual, CRB checks for a volunteer.  As you are also employed you will need to liaise with your employer who may, or may not, cover the cost of a CRB check for you.

Q. I do not work for a local authority (or similar) and do not appear to be able to access a CRB check.  What can I do?

A. There are some internet based agencies which are offering to provide this service for you (check costs).  Alternatively you can come through the ASA for which there will be a charge of £50.00 which includes the disclosure fee.

Q. I have had a CRB check through the ASA which is more than 6 months but less than 3 years old.  Do I need to complete a new CRB application?

A. If the CRB check has been issued more than 6 months ago, whatever the background, a new CRB application will be required.

Q. Do I need to send all the required identification e.g. passport to the ASA?

A. No, the club secretary or welfare officer can complete the section related to evidence of identity.  If you are not a member of a club but are in an employed situation this can be completed by a line / senior manager.

Q. If I am applying through the ASA where do I send the application form?

A. CRB Administrator, Harold Fern House, Derby Square, Loughborough, LE11 5AL

Q. I am a British citizen working in the armed forces but stationed abroad.  Can I be licensed?

A. Yes.  Your CRB check will be carried out in this country and will be valid.

Q. I live and work abroad but I have an ASA teacher/coach certificate.  Can I be licensed?

A. No.  The license only applies to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as the CRB check will only provide evidence related to those countries.  The Scottish ASA will be introducing an identical scheme from 1st April 2006 and Disclosure Scotland provides the same service as CRB and employees working in Scotland are advised to register through this route.

Q. I received my Level 1 license but then 6 months later achieved my Level 2 certificate.  Can I upgrade and what is the status of my CRB certificate?

A. Yes you can upgrade but your new license will only be valid until the date on your original license.  Your CRB certificate will remain valid until your license renewal date.  To upgrade you will obviously need to meet the requirements of the level 2 licence.

COSTS OF CRB CHECKS WITH THE ASA

· Volunteers working in affiliated clubs – free of charge

· Individuals (who are not volunteers) wishing to use the ASA to apply for a CRB certificate - £50.00

· Individuals wishing to use a CRB certificate gained through an organisation other than the ASA, and where the certificate is less than 6 months old - £10.00.