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In the wake of several scandals surrounding vetting and criminal records checking for police officers and civilian workers for the Metropolitan Police, London’s City Hall has expressed concerns about the limited vetting powers of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) for new recruits. Currently, the LFB can only conduct basic police checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on new staff

The construction industry and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks may not seem an obvious combination, but bringing in a process of DBS checks for construction workers can bring significant benefits. A DBS check, which was previously called a CRB check, is a way of looking into someone’s criminal record in England and Wales, with similar schemes operating in the other parts of the United Kingdom.

Going through the process of background checks in the UK, whether as a prospective employee or an employer, can be a complex process. There are lots of myths about background checks, which vary hugely between job positions. Many people think a background check is the same as a DBS or CRB check – there is some crossover between the two, but they are separate processes.

Over the past decade, many different schemes have sprung up to recommend tradespeople to work in our homes. All of the schemes differ in the way they check out who is allowed to register on their website. Some might not run any checks at all, and just list everyone who pays the fees. Others will require membership of a professional body or ask workers to apply for a DBS check, previously known as a CRB check.

Many young people may make mistakes or act impulsively without fully grasping the repercussions of their actions as teenagers, which lands them in the police cells overnight. Some will be released without any further actions, but many will be issued with an official police caution, or go through the court system and be convicted.

New proposals mean that door staff may be required to undergo enhanced checks with a barred list check, which is a more detailed level of checking than is required currently. The proposal suggests that the more detailed level of criminal records checking, though more expensive, is needed to improve standards in the industry.

At a recent council meeting, Wigan Council, close to the city of Manchester, has voted to introduce DBS checks for all councillors. A basic DBS check, which was previously known as a CRB check or Criminal Records Bureau check, looks into the current criminal record of an individual, and is often used as proof of good character or similar.

Online job searching peaks in the weeks leading up to Christmas, with people looking for ways to fund the festive period. As the searches rise, so does the risk of falling victim to fraudulent job advertisements. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has recently put out a press release, warning about the signs potential job seekers should watch out for to avoid scams.

Start dates for some school staff at the start of the school year in September have been delayed due to delays in the DBS criminal record checking system, leaving some employees waiting for months before receiving their certificates. These checks look into the criminal record of job applicants to make sure they are of good character and do not have a lengthy police record.

As of October 28, 2023, significant changes to DBS were made, and both employers and those people planning on applying for a criminal record check soon should be aware of what changes were made. This guide sheds light on the various types of DBS checks, and will explain what changes are being made, and what differences you might expect to come across.