What is a CRB disclosure?
Any individual working with children in the UK has to apply for Disclosure through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).  The Disclosure provides information obtained from various records including the Police National Computer and the Protection of Children Act List and is intended to help organisations make informed decisions when recruiting people into positions of trust.   There are two levels of disclosure: Standard and Enhanced. 

• Standard Check
  Standard checks are primarily for posts that involve working with children or vulnerable adults. If you are on a short, supervised placement in school this would be sufficient.

• Enhanced Check
  Enhanced checks are for posts involving a far greater degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults. In general, the type of work will involve regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of such people. Teachers come under this category.

How do I get one?
To obtain a disclosure you need to apply through a registered body which is any organisation registered with the CRB. If this is not possible, you can obtain a disclosure through an umbrella body that provides these services to other organisations. If you are receiving teacher training the provider will handle this process.
If you are being employed in school the local authority will handle this process. For further details on the information required, a copy of the applicants guide can be downloaded here. 

Other checks by empolyers
The government provide guidelines for protecting children in schools called Safeguarding Children.   Employers who are recruiting new staff to work in school (discretionary for volunteers)  must carry out the following checks on intended new appointees:

• identity checks (must include name, date of birth, address and photographic identity and should be carried out with agency staff too)
• Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosures (not for current staff or new employers moving from another school/LA within last 3 months. Staff without overseas record can start work with CRB pending but with appropriate supervision)
• checks to confirm qualifications
• checks to confirm the right to work in the UK (no reference to Immigration Status Document, Travel Document or Application Registration Card)