CRB Check Question

slenderkitten

Hi,

I attended an interview for a Care Worker job, I have never done it before but they would train me up.

They called me up today and said they are sending me an offer of employment letter so yippiee.

Unfortunately..... they are wanting £75 for a CRB check. I had an enhanced one done in March 2012, of course they wont accept it. They said they could take a £35 deposit which i must bring if i want to take up the job offer.

My question is this.. is it legal to ask for CRB payment BEFORE doing a job and adding a processing fee on top. they only cost £44 and takes 4 weeks (they said it would only take 3 days- usual bs; the one i had done also said this) so i know thats what they have done to make money out of me before i even start a job.

I must say i have had two other interviews, both i would prefer to care work anyway.

Mockingjays

Hi there,

In certain jobs like care it's normal for a company to want a CRB check done before someone starts works. Often people are offered a job subject to a clear CRB check.

Employers sometimes cover the cost but can ask the employee to pay for it. I have to say though in any of job I've applied for it stated on the form who will pay for the CRB check, so it's a shame that wasn't made clear to you initially. If they want you to pay for you, then as long as it's the required level of disclosure, it seems strange to me that they won't let you do it yourself.

This is only as far I'm aware, and there may be others on the board who know about this than me.

Good luck with the job hunting!

LittleVoice

slenderkitten wrote: »

Hi,

I attended an interview for a Care Worker job, I have never done it before but they would train me up.

They called me up today and said they are sending me an offer of employment letter so yippiee.

Unfortunately..... they are wanting £75 for a CRB check. I had an enhanced one done in March 2012, of course they wont accept it. They said they could take a £35 deposit which i must bring if i want to take up the job offer.

My question is this.. is it legal to ask for CRB payment BEFORE doing a job and adding a processing fee on top. they only cost £44 and takes 4 weeks (they said it would only take 3 days- usual bs; the one i had done also said this) so i know thats what they have done to make money out of me before i even start a job.

I must say i have had two other interviews, both i would prefer to care work anyway.

Is this a reputable employer? Did you go to their offices for the interview? Do you know anyone else who has actually worked for them?

slenderkitten

I did attend their offices and saw other carer's come and go so it would seem ok to me.

I'm not sure what i shall do about this, but i do have a couple of other options so I'm going to wait it out a bit and find out if either of the two other options come to fruition.

Sommer43

It is legal and as it is a care agency, they are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. I am assuming you will be caring for people in their own homes? Therefore, this comes under regulated activity with vulnerable adults.

However, they clearly use an umbrella agency for their checks. You do have to sign a form for the ECRB. Make sure you check the form thoroughly before signing it. Due to the nature of their business, they have to perform the checks prior to you beginning your role. As they have verbally offered you employment and confirming this in writing you should check the letter very carefully. You should also receive a copy of the ECRB. For carers, there is a check called the DBS Adults which checks List 99. You are allowed by law to make your own investigations and you can check the process yourself with Disclosure Scotland, they have to provide you with a reference number.

Sommer43

The cost of an ECRB check is £44. You need to ask them why they're charging you £75.00. I would imagine this is because of the umbrella company charges them for the check.

Be very careful about this.