The Home Office has launched the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) which effectively provides a 'One Stop Shop' and carries out checks on records held on the Police National Computer, Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment and local police force information.

The aim of the CRB is to increase access to information to help provide protection for children and vulnerable people against those who might wish to harm them. It should also enable more informed recruitment decisions to protect families.

Nannies and Mother's Helps fit into a category of people who will be eligible for checks at an 'enhanced level' as they will have an opportunity to be in sole charge of children. The level of information that could be disclosed would be all convictions, including those spent, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer as well as relevant non-conviction information held by local police forces.

Visit the CRB website