Blog

During the Covid-19 pandemic we’ve all become more aware how easy it is for people to become disconnected from society, lonely and isolated. Volunteer befrienders step into these situations and maintain contact with the person concerned, with the aim of the contact turning into friendship. It’s a rewarding way to volunteer, and befrienders can make a real difference to people’s lives.

As the entertainment industry starts to open up again after the pandemic, work has resumed on the many films and television series made here in the UK. It’s an industry employing thousands, from the household name actors who are the stars of the show, to the supporting artistes or “extras” who make up the numbers in a crowd scene. But do actors and extras need a DBS check to start work on set?

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.