Category Archives: DBS News and Advice

If there’s one phrase we’ve heard more in the last couple of months than any other, it’s “key workers”. This phrase is something you’ll hear multiple times a day from television reporters and government briefings.

According to an investigation by leading technology publication New Scientist, a large number of government websites have serious security issues which could put you at risk. The government operates over 3000 different websites under the gov.uk domain name, covering everything from central government departments to smaller district council websites.

Data Protection consultants have warned third sector organisations about the growing trend for extensive screening checks on workers. Following on the heels of safeguarding scandals in the charity sector, data protection consultants are seeing a rush by charities to ramp up the levels of screening carried out for both employees and volunteers.

A recent political scandal in Scotland involving the SNP Finance Secretary and texts sent to teenage boys has seen renewed calls for disclosure checks for anyone taking public office. Although in the case of the SNP politician there has been no arrest, no charge and no prosecution, politicians from other parties have tabled a motion to add elected representatives into the list of people who require enhanced disclosure checks.

The list of people who require a DBS check to carry out their work is constantly changing. Keeping track of all the changes can be tricky. One of the biggest changes in recent months seems to have flown entirely under the radar. This change affects garage owners and people who are running MOT checks on your car.

Pressure is being brought on the Disclosure and Barring Service to change its policy on youth cautions. A year after a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court, people applying for enhanced disclosure checks still have the possibility of cautions received many decades ago appearing on their certificate.

Any time the DBS check system hits the headlines it’s usually because someone has been waiting weeks or months for their check to come back. There are however some tips and tricks which you can use to maximise your chances of speeding through the system.

The Welsh Assembly has passed legislation to ban parents from smacking their children, following the lead of the Scottish parliament which passed similar legislation in 2019.

In London, concerns about the lack of proper disclosure checks for Uber drivers led to the company’s licence being suspended. The legal battle is still ongoing. In February 2020, Birmingham City Council announced that they were going to trial face recognition to help verify the identity of Uber drivers.

Employment law is constantly changing and 2020 is shaping up to deliver more changes than previous years. Whether you’re an employer or a worker, it’s important to keep up to date with what’s happening in the employment world as it might affect your pay packet.