Delays in the processing of criminal records checks for those wishing to work in nurseries with small children are causing recruitment challenges in the nursery sector, according to news reports. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, previously known as a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, is required for most nursery workers who are dealing with small children in the course of their work. Getting a criminal record check for people in these roles is not optional; the government defines “regulated activity” and people whose roles which fall into that definition must apply for a criminal records check.
Prolonged Processing Times
Employers in the nursery sector are reporting processing times for enhanced DBS checks up to as much as almost two months, which is being seen as a deterrent to getting work in the sector. Industry experts have previously spoken out about the difficulty of encouraging people into jobs in the sector, which involves notoriously long hours and low wages. Furthermore, the requirement for nursery staff to work towards nationally recognised qualifications and undergo DBS checks puts another hurdle in the way of people considering whether to apply for positions in childcare. One of the worst examples of a lengthy wait was an applicant for a management-level position in a nursery, who was kept waiting for 59 days for a DBS check before withdrawing their application and looking for a management position in another sector.
The nursery industry also acknowledged that the cost-of-living crisis is also having an effect on the industry, with employees who are struggling to make ends meet leaving the sector to work in supermarkets or fast-food chain restaurants, prioritising short-term monetary benefits over long-term career progression in the childcare sector.
DBS Response
In response to these concerns from the nursery sector, a spokesperson for the DBS defended their efforts to minimise waiting times. The DBS stated that for the current year, the average turnaround time for Enhanced DBS checks was 15 days and highlighted that 60% of checks for the nursery sector were completed in under 10 days in June 2023. The picture varies considerably around the country, with some Police Services performing their checks much more quickly than others. Usually, processing times in urban areas are slower than with the smaller, rural forces. There are also seasonal variations in application speed, with delays more common at the end of summer and over the Christmas and New Year period.
Speeding Up Your DBS Check
Unfortunately, there is no simple way of getting your DBS check turned around more quickly, such as a Fast-Track service. The policy of prioritising applications from NHS and healthcare workers which was set up during the pandemic has now ended. The best advice about how to get your DBS returned quickly is to start filling in the online form as soon as possible, as the sooner it is submitted, the sooner it will be returned. Also, read the form in full, and ask about any fields you are unsure about rather than guessing.
