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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.

Christmas party season will shortly be upon us and a huge part of the festivities for children is the annual Christmas party. Parties take place at school, church, and a whole host of other venues over the month, and for adults who don’t want to organise the whole event themselves, the obvious solution is to hire a professional children’s entertainer.

Guaranteeing that overseas employees can legally drive company vehicles may present a complex challenge. Conducting licence checks can reveal whether an employee is subject to a driving ban, whether they have penalty points, and whether they are permitted by law to drive the specific type of vehicle required for their job. In the UK, this task is relatively straightforward, especially for employees from European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

Renting a property can be an anxiety-inducing experience for both tenants and landlords, especially at a time where property experts are reporting increasing demands on the rental sector. With dozens of applications to rent every property, prospective tenants are keen to get things right. Navigating paperwork and deadlines, along with ensuring a seamless move, can be overwhelming.

Most of us know that there is a level of police criminal record checking for people who want to work as nurses, care staff or teaching children. In England and Wales, these checks are run by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), with sister bodies called Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI in other parts of the UK. What might come as a surprise is that there is a whole host of other occupations which might require a DBS check too.

The UK body charged with police oversight, has uncovered significant deficiencies in vetting standards. These failures have resulted in individuals with criminal records or ties to organised crime obtaining positions in the police force. The review conducted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) looked closely at police vetting files

DBS checks are available for asylum seekers and refugees, although securing the required forms of identification can cause difficulties for recruiters. For those who are not UK citizens, options for identification documents include a biometric residence permit, a passport, or a UK driving licence card showing the holder’s photograph. Many people who are going through the asylum process have none of these official proofs of identity.

Employers across Bristol and Somerset have recently complained that lengthy waiting periods associated with DBS checks are leading to significant delays in job commencements and creating bottlenecks in recruitment procedures. For roles involving interactions with children and vulnerable adults, usually in education, childcare or healthcare roles, an enhanced DBS check is a legal requirement before the candidate starts employment.

The Disclosure and Barring Service has been in operation for 10 years now, and since the organisation started its work in December 2012 it has processed over 52 million checks. Despite the huge volume of checks which have been processed, many job seekers are still confused about exactly what an employer is allowed to ask, and what they can do with any information provided.