There are many opportunities to make a living helping others; one of the most popular is a personal trainer. Many will seek professional advice from someone who can make lifestyle goals a reality. However, those wanting to become a personal trainer may need clarification on what background checks are required.
Is a Basic DBS Check Enough for Personal Trainers?
In many instances, a Basic DBS Check can be suitable for personal trainers working in close contact with the public. However, a more in-depth DBS Check will be needed if working with children or vulnerable adults.
What DBS Check is Required When Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults?
Personal trainers who work with children and vulnerable adults will need an Enhanced DBS Disclosure. In addition to showing spent and unspent convictions, an Enhanced DBS Check will also check the Barred Lists. The Barred Lists are available for children and adults and will show people barred from working with either group.
Can Self-Employed Personal Trainers Request Their Own DBS Check?
Self-employed personal trainers can request their own Basic DBS Check but need help to order a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure, which can often cause a lot of confusion.
Those who are self-employed and will be working with children or vulnerable adults will usually be hired by the organisation directly or via an agency. In this instance, the organisation or agency must carry out the DBS Check on the personal trainer’s behalf.
How Often Does a Personal Trainer Require a DBS Check?
Although a DBS Check may have been carried out before starting as a personal trainer, there will be updated DBS Checks required as time passes. In most instances, Basic DBS Checks are carried out every two years, but Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks can be more frequent.
Those working with children and vulnerable adults will often be advised how often DBS Checks are needed, as personal trainers must give permission before a DBS Check is carried out.
Using an External Agency for Background Checks: What Are The Benefits?
Applying for a DBS Check is straightforward, but there can be times when personal trainers are waiting several weeks for a completed disclosure. Furthermore, those wanting to offer someone a role but cannot because of a delayed disclosure certificate can find the process frustrating.
Using an external agency can provide companies, agencies and personal trainers several benefits when compared to conventional options. Not only can businesses and agencies using an external company for DBS Check receive digital results the same day but can also be confident that the physical certificate will be processed as soon as possible.
Those using an external agency can also be assured that there are no delays or mistakes made regarding the application process, allowing the company to free up time without affecting the integrity of its background screening policies.
