As the demand for quality care professionals grows, organisations in the sector must employ safe and reliable staff. One of the essential steps to identify suitable candidates is to carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. This article will examine the importance of such checks, how they work, and when they are necessary. Finally, let’s explore the importance of DBS Checks for specific careers.
What are DBS Checks?
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a way to ensure that people working with vulnerable adults or children have not committed relevant offences that could put them at risk. The check looks into an individual’s criminal history and can also reveal any cautions or warnings issued by police forces in England or Wales. The results are provided on an official document known as a DBS certificate.
How Long Does it Take to Get a DBS Check?
A DBS check is an integral part of the employment process for many positions. Individuals required to undergo this check want to know how long does a DBS check take? The answer varies depending on how quickly the applicant can provide the necessary information and how long the criminal records authorities take to process the request. It typically takes up to 14 working days from receipt of a complete application and payment; however, this timeframe may be longer during peak times or if additional documents are needed. In addition, employers can support speeding up this process by quickly supplying any other required documents and ensuring they have received their prospective employee’s information, such as their passport details or full name at birth.
Why Are DBS Checks Necessary?
Undertaking comprehensive checks on new employees provides extra assurance that those individuals who have been hired are suitable for their roles. This helps to protect vulnerable members of society from potential harm or exploitation. Furthermore, employers benefit from the peace of mind of knowing that the employed people have been thoroughly vetted before taking up their positions within their organisation.
Which Professions Require DBS Checks?
Anyone working in public services who has contact with vulnerable adults or children must obtain a valid Enhanced Disclosure certificate through a registered umbrella body as part of their recruitment process. This applies to roles such as hospital workers, teachers, social workers, etc., but may also include non-public sector organisations if they provide services requiring access to safeguarded information (e.g., private daycare centres). Additionally, some employers may even request basic level checks on all recruits regardless of their role; this practice has become increasingly common over recent years due to heightened public awareness about safeguarding issues.
How Do Employers Carry Out DBS Checks?
The process for carrying out DBS checks begins with identifying which type of disclosure is appropriate for each role being filled within an organisation – either Standard, Enhanced or Volunteer Level – as these determine what information can be revealed about an individual’s history and convictions (if any). Once this has been established, employers apply directly through the government-supported service Disclosure Scotland or use a third-party provider such as Travers Professional Solutions Ltd, which can handle all aspects of obtaining disclosure certificates on behalf of employers quickly and efficiently.
Benefits Of Carrying Out DBS Checks
Not only do thorough background screenings help protect vulnerable groups from potential risks associated with specific job roles, but there are other benefits too. Some advantages are as follows:
- Improved employee retention rates due to selecting individuals who have been cleared through rigorous background screening processes.
- Ensuring only the strongest applicants are hired following organisational policies and procedures around hiring practices.
- Reducing administrative cost savings associated with recruiting new staff.
- Enhancing overall brand reputation by demonstrating dedication towards safeguarding standards.
- Increasing customer confidence in products/services due to increased safety assurances around key personnel undergoing appropriate background screening processes.
Conclusion
To sum up, carrying out full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on potential new employees is an essential step towards ensuring organisations provide safe environments for staff members and vulnerable individuals. In addition, it allows employers to make informed decisions when hiring personnel while mitigating potential risks associated with putting unsuitable people into positions where they could potentially cause harm or distress if not correctly vetted first.
