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All the resources you need to complete your background checking application
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A Comprehensive Guide to DBS Checks for Music Tutors and Agencies
Understanding DBS checks is essential for music tutors and agencies. They play a vital role in safeguarding within the music education sector. This guide explores the importance of DBS checks in music education, detailing the different types, application process, and the role they play in safeguarding vulnerable groups.
From Schools to Care Homes: A Guide to DBS Checks for Contractors
From schools and hospitals to construction sites and courts, this article explores the necessity of DBS checks for contractors working in diverse work environments
Adult First Checks, ISA Adult First and POVA Checks: What Are They?
Employers in the care sector can request what are known as Adult First Checks. These have also been called ISA Checks or POVA Checks. They are all the same thing and are basically an expedited check of the Adult’s Barred List. These checks can only be used in certain situations.
Ultimate Guide: Everything you need to know about DBS Certificates
DBS Certificates are an essential part of recruitment in some industries. Without a valid DBS Certificate, you will not be able to find employment in certain sectors. To ensure you know everything you need to know about DBS Certificates we’ve put together this guide to help.
DBS Checks for Children’s Television
On this day in 1958, Blue Peter, the nation’s favourite children’s TV show, was first aired. Blue Peter is now the longest-running children’s TV show in UK history. In honour of this, we’re sharing a guide for everything you need to know about DBS Checks for Children’s Television.
ID Guidance - Basic Applications
Information for ID verifiers about the types of identification documents you can process in support of a Basic DBS application.
SYSTEM UPDATE: Automatic Archival of Outstanding Applications
We regularly carry out work on our systems to ensure that we are completely compliant will all relevant legislation. In this update, we go into detail about work that we have carried out which integrates automatic archiving of applications that haven’t been accessed recently.
Working with Children in Sport: DBS Eligibility and Regulated Activity
Working with children in sport can be rewarding but safeguarding should always be considered. DBS Checks are needed to ensure that individuals who shouldn’t be working directly with children can’t. In this guide, we look at the finer details of DBS Checks and regulated activity when it comes to working with children in sport.
DBS Checks for working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Refugees and asylum seekers are easily some of the most vulnerable individuals in society. When working with these groups safeguarding is a priority and appropriate background checks are a big part of this. Volunteers are subject to the same safeguarding rules as full-time workers so it's important that you know what DBS Checks you need.
DBS Checks for Transgender Applicants
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offer a sensitive DBS checking service for transgender applicants in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004. The sensitive applications team can help transgender applicants to apply for a DBS Check whilst keeping any previous identities undisclosed from employers.
What information do you need to make a barring referral to the DBS?
Barring referrals are a legal responsibility for certain organisations but if you’ve never had to make one it can be hard to know what information you need. In this guide, we break down all the information that you need to include to be able to make a good quality barring referral.
What are the 5 Stages that a DBS Check Can Go Through?
When a Standard or Enhanced DBS Application is completed and sent off to the Disclosure and Barring service it can go through up to 5 stages. Each of these stages involves different checks which when brought together give a comprehensive picture of someone’s criminal record history. Here we look at the stages in more detail.
SYSTEM UPDATE: Postcode Lookup Integration for DBS Applications
Following feedback from applicants, improvement work has been completed on the EmploymentCheck system we use to process DBS applications. DBS applicants now have the option to use a postcode lookup function to find their address and avoid errors on their form.
Updated DBS Guidance for Faith Organisations and Charities
Faith institutions, like any organisation, have a legal and moral obligation to safeguard vulnerable members of their congregations. To help clarify this guidance the Disclosure and Barring Service have worked alongside major faith organisations to refine the existing rules and clearly establish best practice.
Filtering Guidance and Manual Certificates: What you need to know
Earlier this year, new filtering guidance for criminal convictions were issued by the government. This guidance, whilst useful, also deviates from existing technology processes within the DBS which has caused a small number of certificates to be raised manually. We take a look at what this means for recruitment decision-makers.
How to set up a CQC Compliant DBS Checking Process
If you a CQC registered care provider, or, you’re looking to set up as one, this guide contains all the info you need to set up a compliant DBS checking process
Types of DBS Check Dispute
If something appears wrong on your DBS certificate, often you can raise a dispute. Disputes provide applicants with a process to resolve any errors that may occur
Safeguarding Policy and Procedure
Having a safeguarding policy in place is essential for the protection of any organisation. We look at some of the assumptions people make and how to counter them with best safeguarding practice.
What to do if you find criminal information on a DBS Check
Criminal record checks can be a sensitive issue, so what do you do if you actually find something on a check? Panic? Ignore it? We break it down for you…
Requesting DBS Certificate Numbers
What happens if you lose track of a DBS Certificate number and you need to request it again? The answer might not be as straightforward as you think.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the DBS?
The DBS formed after the merge of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) in December 2012. They are a non-departmental government body and are responsible for carrying out criminal record checks, as well as maintaining the Child and Adult Barred lists.
Personnel Checks are a DBS Umbrella Body authorised to process DBS Check applications of all levels.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS Check or Disclosure is the name given to the three types of criminal record check available to organisations and individuals. The level of DBS Check determines how much of someone’s criminal record history is checked and then disclosed on the certificate.
Organisations can apply for Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS Checks for their employees or volunteers. The level of check required would depend on the eligibility of a specific job role.
How long does a DBS Check take?
Turnaround times can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances and various other factors. The Disclosure and Barring Service advise that a normal processing time for any level of check is 6-8 weeks.
Most checks don’t take that long, particularly not the ones we submit. On average, the processing times for our DBS application submissions are as follows:
Basic DBS – 24-48hrs
Standard DBS – 5-7 days
Enhanced DBS – 10-14 days
This average is collated from the tens of thousands of checks we do annually but can never be guaranteed.
How often should I renew my organisations DBS Checks?
A general best practice is to run DBS Checks on your employees every three years.
Although people commonly talk about renewals of DBS Checks, it’s not something you can do per se. Every time a check is carried out on someone it is a completely new check and has no bearing on any previously issued.
In some industries, there are specific rules on how often you must check your staff. It is important to familiarise yourself with any regulatory requirements to ensure your organisation’s compliance.
How can I track my DBS Check?
Easy! All you’ll need is the applicant's name, date of birth and application reference. Follow the corresponding link below and enter the requested information. You’ll then be given a status update about the application:
Enhanced, Standard & Volunteer DBS Tracking
Who receives the DBS Certificate?
When a DBS Check is completed the certificate is posted out directly to the applicant's current address, as it appears on the application form.
The exception to this is the Basic DBS Check. Applicants have the option to either, provide a ‘care of’ address for the certificate to be posted to, or, have the option to receive the result information only by email.
What is the DBS Update Service?
The DBS Update Service is a means for applicants to register the details of their DBS Certificate. This information is then kept updated by the DBS and can be shared with potential employers. This is a subscription service run by the DBS at £13pa.
Anyone who has had a DBS Check completed can sign up to the DBS Update Service. This needs to be done while the DBS Check is in progress, or within 30 days of its issue.
Only the named person on the DBS certificate can sign up to the DBS Update Service. An employer or organisation would be unable to do this on their behalf.
How do I reset my login details?
If you have forgotten your password, there is a ‘Forgot Password’ option on Login page. Simply navigate to this site, https://app.personnelchecks.co.uk/login. Select the button which says “Forgot your username/password?”.
Once selected, you will be asked to enter the email address associated with your account. Once submitted, an email will be sent to you with fresh login details and you should then be able to log in.
If you’re having difficulty with this process, you can drop us an email at letstalk@personnelchecks.co.uk or give us a call on 01254 35568.
What is meant by ‘eligibility’?
Eligibility is what determines the level of check that is appropriate for any given job role. To obtain the Standard, Enhanced, or Volunteer DBS Check, an applicant would need to meet certain eligibility criteria.
Eligibility is a constantly evolving area of guidance and can be hard to keep track of. The DBS do offer comprehensive guidance documents, here, but they can be hard to decipher if you aren’t familiar with the legislation.
It’s best to be sure you are buying the right check for your needs. We recommend looking at our Ultimate Guide to Eligibility before purchasing any DBS Checks online.
All our advisors understand how confusing eligibility can be so if you are still unsure, get in touch! You can drop us an email to letstalk@personnelchecks.co.uk or give us a call on 01254 35568.
What is ID verification?
ID verification is a major aspect of the DBS application process. This is the final stage of the application before it is submitted and the DBS Check begins.
It is your responsibility as an employer carrying out criminal record checks to confirm the identity of any DBS applicants. It is also a vital way to check for potential errors in an application form.
For a full breakdown of how to carry out ID verification accurately, you can check out our Ultimate Guide to ID Verification. You can find the most up to date guidance from the DBS, here.
What ID documents can I accept in support of applications?
For Basic DBS applications, you must select and verify two documents from the list below:
Valid Documents List – Basic DBS
For Standard, Enhanced and Volunteer DBS applications, you must select and verify three documents from the list below: