If you are applying for a position working in adult social care, you will already know that DBS checks are crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with legislation. A DBS check, issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service in England and Wales, is a check on someone’s criminal record, and the idea is to make sure that the people applying to work with some of the most vulnerable people in society are trustworthy and reputable. There are different levels of checks available, and whether the roles are paid or voluntary, understanding the appropriate level of DBS check is essential.
Levels of DBS Checks
It’s important to note that Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced checks with Barred List checks are all available, depending on circumstances. Which level of check you need will depend on the specific role and its requirements. Basic checks disclose unspent convictions only, while Standard and Enhanced checks disclose most spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and relevant non-conviction information which the Police might feel is relevant to the position under consideration.
For roles involving work with adults, Enhanced DBS checks are typically required. This means that anyone employing to work in a care home, or as a carer who is going into clients’ own homes, has the highest level of background checking available before starting work. Specific roles within the adult social care sector vary in their requirements for DBS checks. Health care professionals, care workers, social workers, will all need an enhanced DBS check, but if you are employed in the adult care sector in an office-based role, without any direct contact with patients, a different level of check may apply. This should be clearly stated on any job advertisements. It is not up to the individual employer to decide what level of checking they want, as this is determined by government legislation.
Getting Your DBS Check
The entire DBS system is driven by the employer, so it’s their job to guide any new job applicants through the system and make sure their certificate is in place before allowing them to start work. In practical terms, getting your DBS check is not difficult. First, you will be directed to a website with a form to complete, and this will ask for your personal details like any previous names and addresses, and for you to disclose any previous criminal convictions that you are aware of.
You will also be asked to provide your employer with some key identity documents to prove who you are and where you live, and again, this can usually be done online. Checks are then run against the police national computer and against other police databases, to both verify the information you have given, and to search their records to find any crimes or cautions which are registered against you. Finally, any relevant information will be printed on the certificate, and the employer will use that information to decide whether or not to employ you in the position.
