02Apr 2020 by admin

Criminal Records Checks When Working Overseas

Thousands of us every year take the opportunity to work overseas. Whether it's a gap year working your way around the Far East, or a longer posting elsewhere in Europe, it's an experience not to be missed. There's a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy involved too. One of the most common requirements is for criminal records checks. Overseas employers want to make sure that you're trustworthy, honest and don't have a lengthy criminal record. However, there are some different rules and regulations when it comes to applying for a disclosure check for an overseas employer. UK Criminal Records Checks It's important to be clear what we're talking about here. If you live in the UK and work for a company based overseas, you aren't classed as a foreign worker. Just…
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13Jan 2020 by admin

CRB Checks and Interpreters

The UK is a multi-cultural nation, with studies shown that there are over 300 languages spoken by children in London schools. Most people manage just fine in English and their native tongue. But on occasions, there is a need for people to receive information in their native language. Often, this is in a healthcare or legal setting. There's a huge difference between managing basic everyday conversation, and understanding complex language. Therefore, public bodies like the NHS and Police use interpreters to help. Sometimes working face to face, but more often on the end of the phone, the interpreter translates into the person's native tongue. It can be lucrative, interesting work for people who are fluent in more than one language. But getting a job as an interpreter isn't always straightforward,…
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30Oct 2019 by admin

New Rules on Police Record Checks for Garage Owners

When was the last time you took your car for a MOT test? In most of the UK, all vehicles on the road go through an annual test to assess their safety. Owners have a high degree of flexibility over where they have their test done. There is a huge network of garages across the UK offering MOT tests. A recent announcement from the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) extends the need for basic police record checks to key personnel working within garages. So what's going on? Garages and MOT Checks Currently There are hundreds of MOT test stations in the UK, from the north of Scotland to the south of Cornwall. Thousands of vehicles go through the MOT test every year, with around two thirds passing first time.…
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09Aug 2019 by admin

Disclosure Checks – Acronyms and Abbreviations

Abbreviations and jargon - don't you just hate them? There's nothing more confusing than watching a police or medical drama on TV and not being able to follow the plot because the characters speak in a string of initial letters. The legal profession loves their acronyms and disclosure checks are no exception. Whether you are the person getting the certificate, or an employer, you need to understand what it all means. Do you know your PVG from your CRB? No? Well read our handy guide to all the most common jargon, abbreviations and acronyms to make things clear. CRB or Disclosure Checks? CRB stands for Criminal Records Bureau. This is one piece of jargon which we really shouldn't be seeing for much longer. That's because the CRB ceased to exist…
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04Apr 2019 by admin

DBS Checks and Being Charged to Work?

The system of DBS checks has been around for over a decade now, but the system is still largely misunderstood. This sort of check used to be called CRB checks, or criminal records bureau checks. It's a system of checking up on people who want to work in positions of responsibility. A DBS check is needed for a wide range of jobs, and often, employers will ask for the certificate before you start. One of the biggest employment sectors needing disclosure checks is healthcare. And recent reports seem to suggest that new starts in the NHS are being asked to pay for their own checks. What NHS Jobs Need DBS Checks? Don't automatically assume that every job working in the NHS will need criminal records checks. However, many will. Even…
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15Mar 2019 by admin

First Aid Volunteer

It's one of those life skills which we all hope we'll never have to use. First aiders are a common sight at major public events, and in the workplace. Having the ability to step in and act when there's a crisis can give you a feeling of control. First aid volunteer organisations are popular with people of all ages, from young teenagers to older, retired people. If it's something you want to get involved in, what do you need to know? What sort of organisations recruit first aid volunteer staff? There is a wide range of organisations in the UK which provide training in first aid. Perhaps the two best known organisations are the Red Cross and the St John's Ambulance. St Andrew's First Aid does the same job as…
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