Category Archives: DBS News and Advice

Most people hunting for jobs in the UK will have heard of criminal records checks, and they may also be familiar with acronyms like DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) or even the previous body, the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau). That’s not the end of it though, as the DBS only covers England and Wales. If you are applying for a job in Scotland, or recruiting staff to work in Scotland, then you might come across yet another acronym – PVG.

It’s very common for an employment contract to have some clause about bringing the employer into disrepute or conduct outside of work impacting on your ability to do your job. Depending on what you get up to in your spare time, and the working on your contract, something which happens outside of work could result in disciplinary procedures.

Most UK workers are familiar with the general concept of DBS checks, whereby a government body looks into someone’s criminal background, and discloses any offences which might affect their suitability for the job. There are some key security features incorporated into the paper and the writing, specially designed to make it easier to weed out the fakes.

If you’ve ever looked at jobs as a security guard or nightclub doorman, you are likely to have seen the acronym SIA. This stands for Security Industry Authority, and having a licence is required for a wide range of jobs in the industry.

There are any number of reasons why someone might want to withdraw an application for a DBS check once the form has been submitted. The most common reason is a change of plans around work; perhaps a job falls through, or a better offer comes along. The DBS has a formal process for withdrawing your DBS check mid-process, but before triggering the procedure it’s worth thinking about whether it’s really worth the effort.

As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, the DBS has recently launched an awareness campaign about scam adverts, many of which are specifically targeting people who have lost their jobs over the past year. The campaign is being run by the DBS in conjunction with JobsAware (the re-branded SaferJobs organisation), Disclosure Scotland and Access NI, across all four parts of the UK.

It’s that time of year when senior school pupils and university students are considering plans for the summer. Often, employers are looking for an employee who can start right away, but how does this work with positions which require a DBS check?

For all students, applying through Clearing is a rushed process, applying for places in mid-August for a start at the end of September or early October. There’s a lot to organise in a short period of time. This year however, there could be an additional hurdle for students who are applying for courses which need a DBS check.

Getting a job isn’t simply a matter of writing a letter and going to an interview anymore. Most employers have a whole host of checks which they want to carry out on prospective employees, from getting a DBS disclosure check to checking the facts on their CV. One of the most tried and tested ways of evaluating applicants is to put them through psychometric testing.

ACRO is also involved in the Covid-19 pandemic fixed penalty notices. Although ACRO being involved in issuing and administering fines is nothing new, this part of their remit causes confusion over the legal status of fixed penalty notices, and what might actually appear on one of the police certificates which ACRO issue, or a DBS disclosure check.