CRB checks?

Question

My friend's job was given to someone else as her CRB check was too long coming. She recieved it the next week, clear, as she knew it would be. Has anyone experienced this? What happened next? Apparently you can't sue the government, but this has cost her considerably in loss of earnings and moving to a new house and area. I'm now waiting for one and I'm terrified! I've been speaking to people in the school I currently work at and the head, amongst others has no CRB, one of the teaching assistants has none after sending the form off THREE YEARS AGO. What a crazy system. As far as I can work out it's based upon trust- that you will tell the truth about your past names and addresses- if you were honest you would surely have told your future employer about any past conviction. A waste of time and money, but the government has to do something.

Anyway, so the real question (sorry for the rant), is has anyone experienced this situation- job given to someone else due to lack of CRB

and what happened next.....????

Please help

This was an occupational therapist job with the NHS

Answer 1

CRB checks are notorious for taking ages, although I had heard they were getting a bit better. I work for the NHS and they won't take anyone on without a CRB (even if you get another job within the NHS you have to have another CRB) but they are aware of the time problems and just wait so I've never heard of anyone losing a job they were promised because of the delay - after all the employer would have to CRB the replacement employee as well, which would also take time and would presumably not be done until they'd decided not to take on their first choice candedate - it all sounds a bit fishy to me.

Answer 2

The time I was quoted was 6 weeks!
My own employer will not allow anyone to work without a CRB check. They have tightened this to not employing with out a CRB (previously not allowed unsupervised)
It seems the system is full of inconsistencies did you know that there are lists? (children and vulnerable adults) personality I don't see why anything that would show on one list would allow you to work with the other group. (I have had to have 2 CRB checks 1 for my own job {vulnerable adults} and a second because my partner is a reg child minder working from home)
As far as the whole system is concerned there should be a list of trusted people (white list) with an Photo ID card, this would make changing jobs within the industry allot easier for every one.

There might be a avenue for a discrimination suit.

Answer 3

I used to work in Healthcare recruitment and it happened all the time. It was so frustrating for both candidates and employers but unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done.
If you have a CRB which is less than 6 months old, most employers will let you start work while waiting for a new one (as long as this has been applied for), so if you are planning to look for a new job, it is worth paying for one yourself so at least you have something to show them.
Bloody annoying though and the so called 'helplines' are more like 'frustration' lines.
Best wishes.

Answer 4

Sorry to say i did not have a problem when i sent of for my CRB. This was a requirement for the owner's of a children's day nursery. The results only took 2 weeks and the manager expressed her surprise stating that the norm was 4 weeks. Maybe the type of job you are applying for makes a difference in the time frame?

Answer 5

I had no problem at all with mine, sent it off within a few weeks got my clean check back.
I was allready employed on a trust basis by my company so the time in which it took to come made no difference to me.
I hope yours turns up soon.