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If you are an employer or running a voluntary service which submits a large volume of DBS checks every year, then the E-Bulk system operated by the DBS could be of enormous benefit. E-Bulk is designed to allow registered organisations submit large quantities of applications electronically and receive certificates electronically too.

As life starts to get back to normal after the pandemic, the volume of applications coming into the DBS is growing too. It’s perhaps no surprise that the DBS is pushing the services of its Outreach Team, who are there to help and support managers and business owners with their DBS checking process.

Getting a reference is just as much part and parcel of the recruitment process as getting a DBS check or filling in the application form, so it’s important that both employees and employers understand their rights and obligations.

Government departments have moved many functions online during the pandemic, and Right to Work checks are no exception. However, the special arrangements we’ve all got used to over the last year have now come to an end, and if you’re an employer then it’s essential that you’re up to speed with the latest changes.

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.