As the UK emerges from the Covid19 pandemic, the way we are all working is changing too. Many workers are yet to return to the office full time, and it’s becoming increasingly common for people to have a couple of part time jobs rather than one full-time job. Students and young people who are still at school might also be looking for some part time work alongside studies, or parents of young children might want to combine work and other responsibilities. Not all part time jobs will require the applicant to have a DBS check, but some might, and it’s important to understand the process before sending off your CV.
Which Jobs Require a DBS Check?
There is no distinction between how many hours someone works over the course of the week when deciding whether they need a DBS check. The only relevant factor is the nature of work. Jobs which require a DBS check are called “regulated activity”. There is lots of information online about which jobs fall into this category and which don’t. In very general terms, part time jobs in healthcare, education or in financial services might require a DBS check, whereas jobs in shops or the hospitality sector generally don’t. It is not the responsibility of a job seeker to decide whether a position needs a DBS check or not; that’s the employer’s job.
Getting a DBS Check
Part-time workers follow the same process as any other worker when it comes to getting their disclosure check completed. Employers will be able to give general guidance on what to do, and most will ask that forms are completed online for simplicity. The DBS form is not intended to be tricky or difficult, and most problems with applications stem from the fact that people don’t read the questions properly, or don’t ask for help if they’re not sure what to fill in the boxes. After you’ve filled in the form, the next stage of the process is to show identity documents such as driving licence, passport, or utility bills to confirm that you are who you say you are. Then the forms will be sent off to the DBS, for further checking through the local police forces.
What Happens After the Certificate Arrives?
Certificates are sent out to the person who made the application, not to their employer. Applicants therefore have the chance to have a look through the information on the certificate before handing it over. One thing you’ll notice is that there’s not an expiry date printed on the certificate, and the law leaves it up to the employer how frequently they want to ask employees to have another check done. Most will ask employees to go through the process every three to five years, or perhaps when they move into a new position in the organisation. Your employer might want to take a copy of the certificate for their records, or at least record the number on the form. They should however return the original to you for safekeeping.
