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Information about the Disclosure Process

As a result of Government legislation all Higher Education Institutions who offer courses where students may come into unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults are required to ensure that these students obtain Disclosure Statements via the Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure process.

This legislation has implications for trainee teachers on school experience. It is necessary for individual schools to have sight of a Disclosure Statement concerning any person who may come into regular contact with children. This will of course affect all teachers employed by the school, and also, volunteer classroom assistants, caretakers, catering and other ancillary staff. Whilst it is the responsibility of the individual school (or local Council on their behalf) in respect of these employees, it is the responsibility of the ‘placing institution’ in respect of student teachers who are embarking on their in-school experience. In this context, Roehampton University is the ‘placing institution’, referred to as the Registered Body.

It must be emphasised that the reasons which might preclude a person from becoming a teacher have not changed. However, there is now a more transparent and definite method by which to assess the suitability of those who come into regular contact with children, in a position of trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Disclosure Statement?

A Disclosure Statement is an official document issued by the Criminal Records Bureau providing details of a person’s conviction record, including cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer. Whilst there are various categories of Disclosures, if you do need to apply, Roehampton University will seek an Enhanced Disclosure on your behalf.

2. Do I need to apply?

There are some groups of students who will definitely need to apply for a Disclosure Statement, whilst other groups may need to apply.

Students on the following programmes will definitely need to apply:

Group A

• BA Primary Education
• PGCE Primary & Secondary
• PGCE (K/S 2&3) Music
• Return to Teaching
• Counselling Psychology

Some groups of students who may need to apply are:

Group B

• Therapy Students – e.g. Dramatherapy, Play Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy.
• BA/BSc Early Childhood Studies
• Student Volunteers

If you are uncertain whether you need a Disclosure Statement, please ask your Programme Convener who will contact the Academic Secretariat for advice. Personnel at your ‘placement’ often have the final decision since they have a duty of care over the children and vulnerable adults concerned and need to be satisfied about the suitability of students on placement.

It is the Applicant’s responsibility to complete the form accurately and to keep their Disclosure Statement in a safe place in anticipation of being asked to produce this. The University will not be able to provide you or the School with a copy. Your copy of the Disclosure Statement will be posted to whichever address you show on Line 4, so it is important that this is one from which you can still obtain your mail. If you are moving home you should show your name, effective date and the new address on an A4 sheet of paper.

3. How do I apply?

Each Applicant completes an Application form issued by the CRB which has to be Countersigned by one of a limited number of approved Counter signatories at Roehampton University , a Registered Body. The countersigned form is then sent to the Criminal Records Bureau. They will make their checks in accordance with their statutory powers and advise the result in the issue of a Disclosure Statement.

Your School Office will be your first point of contact and they will make the necessary arrangements for you to apply for a Disclosure. On-line applications are compulsory for PGCE students, and may be made available for other groups. Please see: www.disclosures.co.uk/roehampton for further details of our on-line application facility.

4. How much will this cost and will I have to pay?

With the exception of authorised Student Volunteers, each Applicant is responsible for the fee charged by the CRB for the issue of a Disclosure Statement.  The cost of a Disclosure Statement is currently £33.00* and the CRB collects this fee directly from the University. Therefore, all cheques should be made payable to Roehampton University . Please be aware that if the CRB need to return the completed Application form for any reason, there will be only a short period to respond to their queries after which a replacement form will need to be completed and an additional fee paid.

*  Please note that from 1 April 2005, the Disclosure fee will rise by the cost of inflation from £33.00 to £34.00.

5. What information will I need to include on my Disclosure Application form?

In completing the form you are required to include:

• Your full name, and any other name that you may have been known by;
• Details of addresses where you have lived during the past five years;
• Your date and place of birth;
• Your national insurance number;

In addition you will be required to provide personal identification documents including items such as your passport and/or driving licence to facilitate completion of Section X of the form. This section must be completed whilst you are present by the Registered Body, which is Roehampton University . You will be required to retain your part-completed form until you are asked to show personal identification documents to verify your identity and current address.

Please note that in providing this service the CRB and Roehampton University are committed to compliance with the Data Protection Act. This means that any personal information you submit to the CRB and to the University will be protected. For more information about Data Protection please see the link in the menu area.

6. What if I already have a Disclosure Statement?

Although the Disclosure arrangements are designed to be ‘portable’ the particular nature of your study with Roehampton means that specific checks must be carried out which may not have occurred when you obtained the Statement which you currently hold. The date that this was issued would also be of relevance.

If you belong to Group A (see point 2 above) you will definitely need to apply for a Disclosure Statement issued under our arrangements. However, if you belong to Group B, your Programme Convener will advise.

7. Who will receive my Disclosure Statement?

Disclosure Statements are sent through the post, in identical format, to both the Applicant and the Countersignatory. The Countersignatory will have been registered with the CRB, and as such, has agreed to comply with the CRB Code of Practice. If any information is revealed in the Statement which was not disclosed prior to you being accepted onto the Programme you will be contacted. It will not necessarily mean, however, that you will be unable to continue as a student, since each case is considered individually.

8. How long will my Disclosure be valid?

If you do need a Disclosure while you are studying at Roehampton you will only be required to apply for one Disclosure Statement. However, when you leave University your future employer may require you to apply for another more up to date Disclosure.

Further information

For further information, please have a look at the CRB Website.

Alternative format - Word or PDF

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