An ACRO police certificate is issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office. It provides details of your UK criminal record, and is commonly used for:
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Visa applications
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Immigration purposes
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Employment checks outside the UK
Note: ACRO police certificates are not valid for employment checks within the UK, especially for roles involving work with children or vulnerable adults.
An ACRO police certificate is intended for use outside the UK. It cannot be used for employment screening within the UK, especially for positions involving work with children.
What an ACRO police certificate looks like.
Can I Use an ACRO Certificate to Work in a UK School?
No. If you are applying to work with children in the UK (for example, in a school), you must obtain an Enhanced DBS check specifically for the Child Workforce.
This is required for anyone working in regulated roles with children in the UK, including:
- Teachers
- Teaching assistants
- School volunteers
- Youth workers
As part of your application with Step Teachers, we will advise you to ensure the correct background checks have been conducted before placing you into a school.