Types of Check: DBS Checks for Care Workers
If an applicant’s role includes support or care work for vulnerable adults, they will usually qualify for the Enhanced Check. The DBS define a vulnerable adult as someone who, ‘by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation’.
Considering that definition, it is understandable why employers would need the highest level of DBS Check available. This is what’s known as an Enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) Checks.
The Enhanced DBS covers the following areas:
Cautions
Warnings
Reprimands
Convictions (Spent or Unspent)
A check against the Child or Adults barred lists, or both (if applicable)
Information disclosed from the applicant’s local police station
Individuals cannot apply for Enhanced DBS (CRB) Checks themselves. Only employers can obtain these checks on behalf of their staff. The Enhanced DBS check is a requirement for most roles, in line with CQC regulations.
What other types of check are available?
Formerly known as ‘ISA Adult First’ and 'POVA Check', the DBS Adult First allows an individual to be checked against 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?
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
This service is exclusive to the care sector and requests for the check must fulfil the strict qualifying criteria. These checks are only permissible when strictly necessary. Such as taking action to prevent 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.
How do I Apply for a DBS Adult First?
The DBS Adult First is part of the Enhanced DBS Check process (formerly CRB check) and cannot be applied for separately. At the stage where the Enhanced DBS application form is sent off for processing, we can then apply for the DBS Adult First on the applicant's behalf.
This check is run separately to the Enhanced DBS check but at the same time.
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 DBS 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 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