According to Unison, nurses and other public sector workers are facing a “lottery” around the criminal record checks or DBS checks which are essential for most roles in the healthcare sector. The union’s recent research indicates that 42% of frontline workers in roles requiring these checks are being asked to pay the fees to apply for their own DBS checks, rather than their employer paying the money on their behalf.
What is a DBS Check?
In England and Wales, employers can use the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to look into a prospective employee’s criminal record. Basic checks can apply to anyone, and certain positions, such as those in healthcare or involving work with children, may require a more detailed DBS check. There are similar but separate organisations for processing police record checks in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which have different names but do a similar job.
Paying for DBS Checks
Unison’s report reveals that despite the fact that it is the legal responsibility of employers to ensure public safety, many are shifting the responsibility and financial burden of criminal record checks onto their staff. The union describes this situation as a “lottery” with no uniform approach between NHS trusts in different parts of the UK, or between agencies offering the same types of healthcare jobs. There is no legislation stating who should pay for a DBS check, the legislation only covers the types of roles which should be checked.
Agency Staff and DBS Checks
The report also identifies situations where two staff are doing similar jobs, with one paying for a DBS check and the other having their employer pay. Bank staff, for instance, who work through an agency, often have to pay for their own DBS checks, while colleagues on permanent contracts with the NHS might have to pay for their DBS check upfront, but have the cost reimbursed when they start working. When NHS staff taking on second jobs, such as bank staff or agency roles, they are asked to cover the cost of a second records check themselves, even while in possession of a DBS certificate for their main position.
Minimising DBS Costs
Those most likely to be adversely affected by this DBS payment “lottery” are women, people in lower-paid healthcare positions, and overseas workers. The union also argued that at a time where there is a recruitment crisis for the NHS and social care roles, asking people to fund their own police records checks will just deter people applying to this sector entirely. The union has called for a change in the law to prevent employers for passing on these essential costs to members of staff, but it remains to be seen whether this ever comes into effect.
If you are applying for a position in the healthcare sector, don’t assume that your employer will pay for any required paperwork. Ask about whether any charges will be refunded, and once you have all of the information, decide whether to go ahead with the application or look elsewhere.
