This year’s Disclosure and Barring Service conference is – unsurprisingly – online. Although there are obvious drawbacks to doing everything online, the benefit of online is that anyone can log on, watch presentations, listen to keynote speakers, and even take place in breakout sessions with other likeminded professionals. The event is aimed at HR and safeguarding professionals but will also be of interest to anyone who is involved in recruitment or in arranging DBS checks for workers. The programme runs across two days, with participants being encouraged to sign up for up to 6 workshops over the two-day conference.
DBS Disclosures
If you haven’t time to sit through the full two-day programme of talks and workshops, then the one you really shouldn’t miss as an introduction to the system is the morning workshop on the first morning, simply entitled “DBS Disclosures”. This is an introduction to the system, with an expert talking you through establishing eligibility for a DBS check, the different levels of DBS check and what to do with the information on the certificate when it arrives in the post. If you’re unable to watch the stream live on the day, the DBS says that all presentations will be recorded for later viewing for people registered on the DBS conference website.
Data Protection and Safeguarding
People who are confident on the basics of DBS checks might find more of interest in the workshop on data protection, which aims to bust some of the myths about what employers should do to comply with the law. This session will be of benefit to anyone working in safeguarding but also for members of staff in the legal department, who are involved in GDPR policies.
Barring Referrals
One of the lesser-understood aspects of DBS checks is Barring Referrals. This is the part of the system which obliges organisations to tell the DBS if a member of staff does something which causes serious safeguarding concerns. This workshop will help you understand both your legal obligations and the process for making referrals to the DBS should you need to do so. This workshop is led by two DBS staff members, so it’s the chance to get the information straight from the horse’s mouth. Again, if you can’t attend live, it’s worth catching up on it at a later date.
Children and Adults in Sport
Sport has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons in recent years, so it’s perhaps no surprise that the DBS has put together a workshop aimed at people in the sector, whether employed, or on a voluntary basis. This workshop promises a lot of hints and tips for anyone involved in the sector and should clarify exactly which volunteers or members of staff need to be DBS checked, and how. Although aimed at people involved in organised sport, many of the issues raised will transfer to other situations too, so it’s worth watching even if you’re not involved in running a sports team or teaching pre-schoolers to swim.