Can I get a CRB check on a cleaner?

apples1

looptip wrote: »

Whether you hire direct or via an agency your best bet is to check that the person you are having into your home has proper insurance.

What insurance would a privately employed cleaner be expected to have then? What would it cover me for? I would assume I could just claim under the accidental damage part of my comprehensive home insurance for anything major in the same way I would have to if we were to have done it. Maybe that's an incorrect assumption? Surely there is no insurance they could have that would cover me against theft as if they were to steal from me they are not going to hang about to let me claim on their insurance!

The reason i wanted to know whether I could get a CRB check was to see if they had a criminal record as I'd feel very foolish if after I had met them, interviewed them and done a couple of trial days that I handed over the keys and they cleaned me out! Equally whilst I would never leave them access to my children I wouldn't employ someone who had a criminal record that meant my children were at any potential risk at all. I do appreciate that a CRB check is no guarantee of any of this but doing some check seemed prudent. Still, after 31 posts I am still none the wiser whether I can get one or not! Some say no, some say yes and some say yes though an umbrella company. We do run our own limited company (not from home) but the cleaner will be self employed and work in our home and will invoice me not be employed by our Ltd Co.

pleasedelete

You need to be very very clear about if you are the employer or if they are self employed. It sounds as if you are just contracting services from them.

If they were an employee You need to advise home insurance and you may want to consider public liability insurance ( but may be covered the through house insurance) .

You also need to think if you give them a key or if you are at home (this can affect and even invalidate insurance in exceptional circumstances). I would check this with your insurance company.

If they are self employed or work through their own limited company you will sign a contract with them for their services. They will have public liability and professional insurance (and should be able to show you the certificate). They may or may not have a crb they can show you.

pleasedelete

Ps.

You can't get a crb if they are self employed. They probably can't get one either unless it is a limited company and so I wouldn't be worried if they dont have one.

You could get one through an umbrella of you were employing them.

Savvy_Sue

apples1 wrote: »

The reason i wanted to know whether I could get a CRB check was to see if they had a criminal record as I'd feel very foolish if after I had met them, interviewed them and done a couple of trial days that I handed over the keys and they cleaned me out! Equally whilst I would never leave them access to my children I wouldn't employ someone who had a criminal record that meant my children were at any potential risk at all. I do appreciate that a CRB check is no guarantee of any of this but doing some check seemed prudent. Still, after 31 posts I am still none the wiser whether I can get one or not! Some say no, some say yes and some say yes though an umbrella company. We do run our own limited company (not from home) but the cleaner will be self employed and work in our home and will invoice me not be employed by our Ltd Co.

I do not think that you would be able to get a CRB done on a potential cleaner, however the way to find out would be to find an Umbrella Body and ask them. But it's not something to be undertaken lightly: see this page.

My reasoning is that you do not actually have the right to know whether or not your cleaner has a criminal record. Only employers who have that right can get a CRB check done.

You interview your cleaner. You take up references. In an ideal world you find someone by personal recommendation.

Or you use an agency: they may be able to get a CRB check done but that still doesn't guarantee that your cleaner doesn't have a criminal record. Because it's the agency that will know, and they can't tell you.

youngian

Personally I would not let any stranger into my flat and if I desperately needed a cleaner it would be someone I know.

SarEl

youngian wrote: »

Personally I would not let any stranger into my flat and if I desperately needed a cleaner it would be someone I know.

Most people are robbed by someone they know... most people are raped by someone they know... most crime against person or property is committed by someone you know.

ohreally

SarEl wrote: »

Most people are robbed by someone they know... most people are raped by someone they know... most crime against person or property is committed by someone you know.

And on that cheery note - I'm out.

Edit: OP, your barking up the wrong tree, I can show you my enhanced disclosure which clears me to work on enhanced
That wouldn't necessarily mean i was in any way suitable to come and work for you in any capacity.