What does DBS stand for?
DBS stands for Disclosure & Barring Service. It was previously known as a CRB, which stood for Criminal Background check.
Put simply, it is a police background check on candidates seeking employment.
There are two types, Basic and Enhanced;
• Basic DBS check - for certain specified jobs, licences and entry into certain professions
• Enhanced DBS check - for those carrying out certain activities or working in regulated activity with children or adults; applicants for gaming and lottery licences; and judicial appointments
Who might need a DBS check?
Candidates applying for certain types of job may be asked to apply for a DBS check if you are 16 years old & over.
These are generally jobs that mean you:
• Will be working regularly with children
• Will be working in certain activities with adults considered vulnerable at that particular time
• Will be working in healthcare
• Have applied to be a foster carer, adoptive parent or childminder
• Will be working in certain other professions
It is Greycoat Lumleys Policy that any candidate who we place in a job within a private household, holds a current DBS check that is valid within 1 year. However, the hiring Client may request that you get a more up to date one before you start the placement.
Where can I get a background check done?
DBS are applied for in the UK. International employers can also request a police check on UK citizen’s as long as the candidate is still based in the UK.
How do I apply for DBS?
Your employer will set up the DBS application for you. However, if you are an external candidate you will need to provide a DBS service provider who will do this on your behalf, more information on companies who can do this for you can be found at www.gov.uk/find-dbs-umbrella-body.
Greycoat Lumleys is a registered body for the DBS so we have a direct link with the DBS and can arrange for a check to be carried out for you.
What will you need to provide?
Please note that we can only process applications online. For this, we will need your Title, First Name, Middle Names, Last Name, Date of Birth, Email address and a mobile or landline number.
You will need to provide the following documents:
Identity Document – This is usually a passport, driver’s license, birth or marriage certificate. These must be presented as original documents
Proof of Address – Usually a bank, utility, telephone landline statement. It can also be in the form of Governmental documents; examples being Council Tax or employee tax statements.
The documents cannot be photocopies, e-mail attachments or electronic prints. They must be originals sent either by post (Special Delivery is strongly recommended) or in person.
The Online Application Process
• Once we have your details, we will load you up onto our system.
• You will then get an email with a link to complete the form online.
• Once you have completed and submitted your application, it comes back to Greycoat Lumleys for verification.
• We still need to see your documents (see the list below for valid documents).
• Once we have verified your application, you will then get a second email for your payment of £53.00
• Once you receive your DBS certificate please inform your employer or Greycoat Lumleys consultant as they will need to see your copy
Documents Accepted
Group 1 – Primary Trusted Identity Credentials
• Current valid Passport – UK or EEA (or Non-EEA in combination with a Biometric Residence Permit or current Work Permit/Visa)
• Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
• Current Driving Licence (UK) (Full or provisional) Isle of Man /Channel Islands;
• Photo card only (a photo card is only valid if the individual presents it with the associated counterpart licence; except Jersey)
• Birth Certificate (UK & Channel Islands) - issued within 12 months of date of birth;
• Full or short form acceptable including those issued by UK authorities overseas, such as Embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces
Group 2a – Trusted Government / State Issued Documents
• Current valid Passport (UK, EEA or Non-EEA)
• Current UK Driving licence (Photo card or old style paper version)
• Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
• Birth Certificate (UK & Channel Islands) - issued within 12 months of date of birth
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate (UK and Channel Islands) – issued after 12 months of date of birth
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK)
• Adoption Certificate (UK)
• HM Forces ID Card (UK)
• Fire Arms Licence (UK)
Group 2b – Financial / Social History Documents
• Mortgage Statement (UK)**
• Bank/Building Society Statement (UK)*
• Credit Card Statement (UK)*
• Financial Statement ** - e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (UK)
• P45/P60 Statement **(UK & Channel Islands)
• Council Tax Statement (UK & Channel Islands) **
• Work Permit/Visa (UK) (UK Residence Permit) **
• Utility Bill (UK)* – Not Mobile Telephone
• Benefit Statement* - e.g. Child Allowance, Pension A document from Central / Local Government / Government Agency / Local Authority giving entitlement (UK & Channel Islands)*- e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service , Customs & Revenue, Job Centre, Job Centre Plus, Social Security
• EU National ID Card
• Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK)
Please note:
If a document in the List of Valid Identity Documents is:
• denoted with * - it should be less than three months old
• denoted with ** - it should be issued within the past 12 months
• not denoted – it can be more than 12 months old.
We recommend that all documents are sent to us by Special Delivery and we will return these documents by the same method.
How much does a DBS cost?
The cost for a DBS check will be £53 for registered & non-registered Candidates
Does the company make money on doing DBS checks?
No, the costs go to the DBS organization and the organization that administers DBS’s. Our DBS administrator is Civil & Corporate.
How long will it take for my check to be processed and how can I check its progress?
A DBS check will normally take from between 2 weeks to 2 months to be returned if done online. We can never put a timeline on the process. It varies from candidate to candidate. You will receive a copy of the check to the home address used on the form. The DBS Certificate should remain in your possession and you will be required to show it to your new employer.
What if I do not hear back within this time?
Once we have processed your online application, we are unable to hurry the process along. We suggest you contact the DBS directly on 0870 9090 822 and follow up with them. Make sure you have your application number to hand as reference.
What do I do if I have received a confirmation email that the process is complete, but have not received my DBS certificate?
You will not receive your certificate for about a week after confirmation. If it takes longer than this, we suggest you call the DBS help number above with your application/serial number as reference.
What Happens when your DBS is completed?
You will be notified by the hiring company via email that your DBS has been completed. You will then receive documentations in the post about a week later. Once you have received your DBS certificate, you will then need to send a copy of your certificate to either Greycoat Lumleys or direct to your employer by post or e-mail.
What will I find on a DBS Check?
The Standard DBS check will contain details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings from the Police National Computer (PNC)
The Enhanced DBS check will include any information from the PNC and may also search:
• information held by local police forces
• lists of people barred from working with children and adults which are kept by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)
What Happens if you DBS comes back Not Clear?
If your DBS has come back ‘Not Clear’ or you suspect something will show up. You may need to tell your employer. If you have any concerns regarding this, contact your DBS provider.
How long does a DBS check last?
There is no official length of time that a DBS check is valid for. Any information revealed on the DBS certificate is what the police, or the ISA if applicable, held at the time the certificate was printed.
What is the DBS update Service and how to apply?
The update Service enables the candidate to automatically renew their DBS status without having to apply online again. The DBS update service costs £13 and will be deducted from your account the following year you performed your DBS application. Be warned, you have only 14 days after your DBS is completed to renew it. Any later and you will have to do another online DBS application.
Individuals can now join the DBS Update Service putting them in greater control of their information; allowing them to reuse their DBS certificates when applying for similar jobs. This will reduce bureaucracy and save them time and money.
If an individual subscribes to the DBS Update Service their employer can go online with their consent, and carry out a free, instant check to find out if the information released on the DBS certificate is current and up-to-date.
If you need to register for the PVG Scheme in Scotland, we can process this for you. For more information, visit our Hiring a Nanny in Scotland page. Click here.
If you have any questions on anything you have read above, please call Collette Negre on +44 (0) 20 7233 9950 or email collette@greycoatlumleys.co.uk
Sources:
Government Organisations DBS link
DBS Check
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