Adult First Checks, ISA Adult First and POVA Checks: What Are They?
Personnel Checks offer DBS Adult First checks to the Care sector
Formerly known as ‘ISA Adult First’ and 'POVA Check', the DBS Adult First is a fast-track search of the DBS Adults Barred List. Dependent on the result of the check, this service allows the individual to start work under supervision while waiting for their full DBS check results.
Do I Qualify for an Adult First DBS Check?
This service is exclusive to employers in the care sector. Requests for the check must meet strict qualifying criteria and are only allowed where it is necessary to take action because of a real danger of staffing levels falling below statutory obligations.
A DBS Adult First check is not appropriate where a person intends to work with both children and adults. Those working with both groups will need to wait for the DBS Certificate to be returned to find out whether a person is barred from working with children.
There is no equivalent quick check of the children’s barred list. However, for individuals working in teaching and tuition, you may be able to obtain a List 99 Check on their behalf.
Can I Apply for a DBS Adult First?
The DBS Adult First is part of the Enhanced DBS Check process and cannot be applied for separately. At the stage where the Enhanced DBS application form is sent off for processing, we then apply for the DBS Adult First on the applicant's behalf.
The DBS Adult First is a service that can be used only in exceptional cases and in accordance with the terms of Department of Health guidance, where a person is permitted to start work with adults before a DBS Certificate has been obtained. This applies to adult services where DBS Certificates are required by law, such as:
Care homes
Domiciliary care agencies
Adult placement schemes
What Will the DBS Adult First Check show?
The employer will receive an email within 72 hours with 2 possible outcomes:
‘No match exists for this person on the DBS Adults Barred list’
(This person isn’t barred from working with vulnerable adults and can commence work)
Or
‘Please wait for the DBS Certificate before making a recruitment decision regarding this applicant’
(The DBS Certificate may include offences which would not allow this person to work with vulnerable adults)
The email will also clearly state that the DBS Adult First only forms the first part of the Enhanced CRB application process and that further information will follow.
Your applicants should not start work until a clear DBS Adult First Check is received.
For more information about anything in this article, or, how our background screening solutions can help you, get in touch! You can give us a call on 01254 355688 or drop us an email at letstalk@personnelchecks.co.uk