Having the right DBS check is incredibly important and so is making sure it is on the update service.
What Is A DBS Check?
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) replaced the CRB check. It's a way for employers to check a persons criminal record and assess suitability for a role especially when working with vulnerable groups, including children.
Types Of DBS Checks
There are four levels of DBS checks: Basic, Standard Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred list. Employers need to ensure that someone has the correct check for the role they are applying.
Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS check is for any purpose, including employment. The certificate will contain details of convictions and cautions that are considered to be unspent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.
An individual can apply for a basic check themselves.
Standard DBS Check
A Standard DBS check is suitable for certain roles, such as security guards, lawyers and accountants. The certificate will contain details of both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings
An individual cannot apply for a standard check themselves.
Enhanced DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS check is suitable for people working with children or adults in certain roles such as such education, childcare, healthcare or personal care. The certificate contains the same details as a Standard certificate and may also contain non-conviction information supplied by relevant police forces, if it is deemed relevant and ought to be contained in the certificate.
An individual cannot apply for an Enhanced DBS check by themselves.
Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS check
An Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS check is also suitable for people working with children or adults in certain circumstances. An Enhanced with Barred Lists certificate will contain the same information as an Enhanced DBS certificate, but will also include a check of one or both Barred Lists. This ensures that a candidate is not barred from working with vulnerable groups
An individual cannot apply for an Enhanced DBS with Barred List check by themselves.
Which DBS should a Nanny have?
As an agency we require candidates to have an Enhanced DBS with children's barred list check on the update service. We recommend that any nanny employer ensures that their nanny has this even if they do not us our service to find them a nanny.
What is the Update Service?
The Update Service is an online subscription service that allows: applicants to keep their DBS certificates up to date and employers to check a DBS certificate.
The certificate holder pays an annual subscription which allows someone to check to see if any relevant information has been identified about the individual since their Certificate was last issued.
It is vital to see the physical paper copy of the certificate (not a copy or a picture) as well as doing an online check. The certificate shows the holders criminal record at the point of printing. The update service shows any information since then.
The outcome of a valid online status check will be one of the following:
This Certificate did not reveal any information and remains current as no further information has been identified since its issue. This means that the individual’s Certificate contains no criminality or barring information and no new information is available.
This Certificate remains current as no further information has been identified since its issue. This means that the individual’s Certificate did contain criminality or barring information and no new information is available.
This Certificate is no longer current. Please apply for a new DBS check to get the most up to date information. This means that the individual’s Certificate should not be relied upon as new information is now available and you should request a new DBS check.
It is also important the the certificate is for the correct workforce for the role being applied for: child, adult and other.
You need to subscribe to the update service as soon as you receive you application number or Certificate as it is time sensitive. If you do not register you will need to apply for a new certificate.
If you need a new DBS or need to renew then do let us
know and we will be happy to help.
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