DBS and other background checks FOR FOSTERING Agencies

There are over 75,000 foster carers registered in England. Fostering agencies are lawfully required to perform stringent background checks on these carers. These checks include an Enhanced DBS, Local Authority, References, Medical Assessment and Home safety checks.

Personnel Checks work with some of the largest fostering agencies in England and are experts in providing advice, first-class customer service and competitive prices. We even offer a committed partnership agreement giving you the very best prices and a dedicated bespoke service.

 

Which DBS Check do Foster Carers need?

There are three different levels of DBS Check: Basic, Standard, or Enhanced, however only the highest level applies to fostering in the UK.

All foster carers, and any members of the fostering family aged 18 or over, are required to undergo Enhanced DBS Checks, including a search of the Children’s Barred List, before they begin fostering.

As a UK foster agency, it is your responsibility to conduct these DBS check(s) as part of your assessment of prospective foster carers.

The Disclosure and Barring Service advise that Enhanced DBS Checks take between 6-8 weeks. Choosing to do your checks with Personnel Checks means you benefit from a much quicker turnaround.

Over 25% of our Enhanced DBS submissions are completed in 24 hours or less. 93% were processed in less than 28 days. Our process ensures you’re not being slowed down waiting for checks to come back.

Foster Care Background Checks

Foster carers and their support networks are subjected to a comprehensive range of background checks. Statutory guidance recommends the following:

  • Identity Checks

  • Qualification Checks (if deemed relevant by the agency)

  • Reference Checks

  • Right to Work Checks

  • Health Checks

  • International Criminal & Civil Checks (If the carer has lived outside of the UK)

Background checks are a complicated area of legislation. Partnering with the UK’s highest-rated background screening provider can give you the confidence you’re meeting your statutory obligations.

 

The DBS Update Service

Ofsted recommends carrying out regular DBS Checks on foster carers for ongoing compliance. Completing new checks can be a time-consuming process. This is why getting foster carers to register for the DBS Update service is essential.

The Update Service is an online subscription allowing individuals to register their DBS Certificates. This system then keeps the online account updated with any information added to that person’s record.

Foster agencies can carry out ‘Status Checks’ to make sure they have the most up to date information on their foster carers. Status checks are significantly quicker and easier than conducting new DBS Checks. But they are still a big admin task.

Personnel Checks’ status checking service takes that work away. By providing:

  • Automated status checking

  • Custom notifications

  • Candidate contacting

  • Audit trails

  • White-label configuration

You can be sure you always have the most relevant information on your foster carers. As well as saving time and money!

To manage your foster carers’ Update Service subscriptions with ease, contact the team. Just click below!

Foster carer walking with child
 

How to Get Started with DBS Checks

Registering your organisation is free. We can have you onboarded and processing checks in 15-minutes or less! Our flexible service means you can have as much or as little involvement in the checking process as you need. Control the process with self-service or leave the work to us with managed service options.

If you’re considering processing checks yourself, that’s also an option. You would need to register yourself as a DBS Umbrella Body and be processing either 100 paper DBS applications a year or 1500 online applications.

The Support You Need

Personnel Checks provide comprehensive screening services to some of the UK’s leading fostering services. We work alongside independent agencies and local authorities to support their fostering. We understand the unique requirements and legislation in the sector. Our expertise and 5-star customer service are exactly what your business needs.

Join the thousands of organisations that trust Personnel Checks with their screening management. To discuss your requirements, give us a call on 01254 355659 for a no-obligation consultation or click the button below to request a callback.

 

Don’t Just take our word for it

There’s a reason Personnel Checks are the highest-rated screening provider on Trustpilot. Take a look at what some of our customers have to say…

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Frequently asked questions

 

  • The only types of offence which will automatically bar someone from becoming a foster parent are those against children. Any history of crimes against children, abuse or neglect will mean someone cannot become a foster parent.

    All other criminal record histories should be examined on a case by case basis. The information should be fairly assessed against whether or not it affects that person’s ability to safely care for a foster child.

  • Staying Put arrangements mean that foster parents may continue caring for a foster child once they reach 18. People often think this means the foster parents need a new DBS Check which includes a check of the Adult’s Barred List.

    This isn’t the case. Foster parents will still need to be registered as asuitable foster parent but their existing DBS Check will be sufficient. If there are other foster children present, the child turning 18 will also need to have a DBS Check completed.

    The only time foster parents would need a new DBS Check is when the child turning 18 has additional care needs.

    In these cases, the arrangement will become a Shared Lives arrangement rather than a Staying Put arrangement.

    Under this arrangement, foster parents will then be assuming an adult care role. This means they are eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check with a search of the Adult’s Barred List included.

  • The cost of a DBS Check varies depending on which level of check is being applied for. Our list prices are:

    Basic DBS Check: £43.10

    Standard DBS Check: £52.20

    Enhanced DBS Check: £75.90

    Volunteer DBS Check: £26.40

    What you see is what you get. We have no hidden fees and we don’t charge extra for ‘fast-track’ services that don’t exist.

    Prices include VAT.

  • Every person involved in the fostering of a child is considered to be carrying out regulated activity. This means they are eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check with a search of the Children’s Barred List.

    This is the case for people directly involved in the placement of foster children, as well as individuals who manage those directly involved.

    In very rare cases, there maybe staff who aren’t required to have an Enhanced DBS Check. This is usually for auxiliary office staff, such as cleaners.

  • The average turnaround for DBS Checks nationally is approximately:

    • 24-48 hours for Basic DBS Checks

    • 3-7 days for Standard DBS Checks

    • 8-14 days for Enhanced DBS Checks

    Personnel Checks average processing times are as follows.

    • 24-48 hours for Basic DBS Checks

    • 2-6 days for Standard DBS Checks

    • 6-12 days for Enhanced DBS Checks

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