Cleaners in the UK are expected to complete a statutory DBS check. Forming part of your recruitment process, you could be subject to a basic or enhanced DBS check, depending on the type of place you will be cleaning.
What are DBS checks?
DBS checks are statutory criminal record checks administered by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Forming part of the vetting process for a job, DBS checks are used to ensure recruits are suitable for the role and the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults, are properly protected.
The 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act sets out the requirements for background checks for a wide range of roles. There are four types of DBS checks you could be asked to complete:
- Basic DBS
- Standard DBS
- Enhanced DBS
- Enhanced DBS with barring lists
Each type of DBS check involves a different level of criminal record search. A basic DBS is the lowest level search and an enhanced DBS with barring lists is the highest.
The depth of the search required for each CRB check is dependent on the level of interaction with the public you will have in post, particularly your level of engagement with children and vulnerable adult.
Those who work in close contact with children and vulnerable adults or carry out work of an advisory nature are subject to the strongest DBS check.
Which DBS check for a cleaner?
As a cleaner in the UK, you could be asked to take a basic or enhanced DBS check, depending on the place where you will work.
If your role will be located in an environment where you could come into unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, you will need an enhanced DBS check. For example, if you are planning to clean in a school, hospital or care provision.
Enhanced DBS checks can only be requested by an employer. An enhanced DBS check for a cleaner will involve a search for any spent and unspent convictions, reprimands, cautions, warnings and non-conviction information held by relevant police forces.
If you will not be working in an environment where you will have contact with children or vulnerable adults, you can expect to complete a basic DBS check.
A basic DBS check for a cleaner requires a search for any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions.
DBS checks are necessary to ensure the most vulnerable members of our society remain safe. Basic DBS checks can be requested by an employer or an individual. We provide tailored support to help you or your organisation complete basic DBS checks online.
Visit our home page now or call one of our friendly experts today on 0333 030 0446 to find out how we can help you or your organisation with basic DBS checks.