FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are CRB Checks?
CRB checks are a way of checking people’s history to make sure they do not have any convictions or cautions that might mean they are not safe to work with children.
English Lacrosse only uses checks called Enhanced Disclosures which are currently renewable after three years.

What are Enhanced Disclosures?
These show English Lacrosse people’s conviction history (things they have been found guilty of) other information that might be considered relevant (for example if a person has had an investigation of abuse) and whether or not they are banned by the courts from working with children.
When a Disclosure is issued English Lacrosse CRB Unit gets one copy and the applicant gets another.  These are identical.  If, however, the unit gets what is called additional information on a separate letter this will not show on the applicant’s copy.  This means that a Disclosure certificate appears clear of relevant offending but there may be a very real concern.
Additional information tells English Lacrosse CRB Unit about any on-going investigations, for example about someone who is having their computer monitored for child pornography or who is under surveillance for drug dealing.  This information can only be shared with the Lead Welfare Officer for English Lacrosse’s Child Protection and legal advisors to English Lacrosse.

I signed a self-disclosure form.  Is this the same as a Disclosure?
No.

I already have an Enhanced Disclosure.  Do I need another one?
In the section called Enhanced Disclosure we explained what was meant about additional information.  The risks are that someone hands English Lacrosse a Certificate with no convictions of any relevance even though they are still a risk to children.
English Lacrosse CRB Unit is also aware that some bodies have not completed identity checks in line with recommendations and that there is also the possibility of falsified Certificates.
More organisations, including sports bodies and social services departments in local authorities, will only accept their own Disclosure Certificates because of risks described above.
Lacrosse recognises that some people already have Disclosure Certificates but following advice from the Home Office, Criminal Records Bureau and the Child Protection in Sport Unit.  English Lacrosse will no longer accept Disclosures from any organisation other than English Lacrosse.

I already have an English Lacrosse CRB Disclosure Certificate but I am changing clubs.  Do I need another one?
NO.
The English Lacrosse Unit is currently working a system so that, with your permission, we can tell your new club whether or not English Lacrosse has accepted your Certificate.
We will not tell them what was on the Certificate and you will need to show it to them.

I offended in the past.  Will I be allowed to continue in children’s lacrosse?
We cannot easily answer that.  English Lacrosse has to look at each Certificate individually and make a risk assessment.
If there is sexual offending, violence or a drugs history English Lacrosse may  make further investigations.
Sometimes people are suspended during investigations as children have to be kept safe when there is the possibility of risk.
Sometimes people are banned from children’s lacrosse but this decision is made after collecting other information and following English Lacrosse’s disciplinary process.
Generally, youth offending, single offences and offences with a long period of elapsed time since conviction are considered less serious.
English Lacrosse will always be fair but the safety of children comes first.

I do not want my family or club to know what I did when I was younger.  What can I do?
The Disclosure Certificate comes addressed to you as Private and Confidential.  You need to make sure your family is not opening each other’s mail.  This is more difficult if you have a child with an identical name.  It is up to you to ensure your family does not open your mail.
English Lacrosse will not tell you club about your offending or anything else on the Certificate.
If however, if you are suspended the club secretary will be told of your suspension but not what was on the Disclosure Certificate.

Do I need a Disclosure?
Yes, English Lacrosse has begun a rolling programme that will ensure all those with access to children have completed satisfactory Disclosures.

How do I get a Disclosure and how much does it cost?
To begin the Disclosure process follow the instructions below:

If you would like advice or assistance please contact English Lacrosse CRB Unit on 01159 819369 or email ela@themediagroup.co.uk.

A rate of £12.00per person is available if you are a volunteer. There is an additional charge of £46.00 if you are a paid employee.

English Lacrosse CRB Unit can take no liability for lost documentation so we strongly recommend that you send all documents to us by Recorded Delivery.  To have your documentation returned by Recorded Delivery please add £3.00 to you cheque.

Why do I need to complete a CRB Check?
As with any organisation that has large amounts of young people there are individuals who will seek to gain access to children, that are unsuitable or by law are disqualified from doing so.

How do I apply for a Disclosure?
To apply for a Disclosure you should contact your Club Welfare Officer or The ELA CRB Unit on 0115 981 9369 or e-mail on ela@themediagroup.tv.   These people will make suitable arrangements for you to complete your application.

Who completes Section X?
This section is a CRB requirement to check your identity the Club Welfare Officer will be your identification checker.  Please note: That it is not the case that if you have been CRB checked yourself that you can check another’s identification.

What do I do once I have completed the form?
Ensure that the form is completed accurately in BLACK PEN.  Then send it to:
ELA CRB Unit,The Media Group, 3 Wilford Business Park, Ruddington Lane, Nottingham, NG11 7EP

Who will receive my disclosure?
You will receive your disclosure in the post.  A copy of your disclosure will be kept on file in a secure place by TMG.

Can I challenge the information on my disclosure it is incorrect?
Yes.  If you think that any information on your disclosure is incorrect please contact the disclosure dispute line on 0870 90 90 778 immediately and ask about dispute procedures.
You should also contact the ELA CRB Unit Officer Karen Hughes (k.hughes@englishlacrosse.co.uk) to explain which aspect of the disclosure you are disputing.

Who will pay for my Disclosure?
If you have applied for an Enhanced Disclosure and you are a volunteer (and deemed to be by the ELA) there is a £12.00 charge for the disclosure.  However, if you are in a paid position, which requires and Enhanced CRB check, the cost is £46.00.  All cheques should be made payable to The Media Group.

I have been living abroad within the last five years?
The English Lacrosse Association is duty bound by English Law to ensure that all persons who have contact with young people under the age of 18 years have been suitably screened.
Therefore, it is imperative that we ask you to provide us with a criminal check or ‘Certificate of good conduct’ from your police or high commission in your country of origin or from the country where you have lived within the past five years.

How long will my Disclosure be valid?
Your disclosure will only be valid to the day it is printed, if however, you remain in paid employment or a role as a volunteer within the same organisation you will not need another check for 3 years.  If you transfer to a new organisation then you will require a new CRB check.

If I have a criminal record will I be employed by the ELA?
Having a criminal record does not necessarily prohibit you from being employed the ELA.  However, any information contained on you Disclosure form could required further consideration by the ELA and may mean that the ELA is unable to support, offer or allow you to retain a position within the sport.

I have had an enhanced CRB check but not through the ELA, will the ELA accept my certificate?
The ELA will not accept checks that have been done through different agencies.  You will therefore need to complete a new disclosure application form.

I have had an enhanced CRB check by the ELA but I have lost my certificate.  Do you hold information on my check?
The ELA holds the CRB reference number and issue date of everybody that has been CRB checked through the ELA, this can be particularly useful for people who move from club to club.  Please see CRB Code of Practice for further details.

How old do I need to be to complete a CRB check?
Any person over the age of 10 years old is eligible to complete a CRB check.

Do I have to show my Certificate to anyone?
There is no obligation for you to show your Certificate.  However, it makes the checking process simple if you are to be permitted to partake in a lacrosse activity.

The ELA Welfare Officer, CRB Steering Committee, ELA Disciplinary Committee and all Club Welfare Officers will have access to a confidential list of all persons who have complied with the CRB process.