If you wish to work in the medical branch of the Royal Navy you will need to have an enhanced DBS check with barred lists.
A DBS check is a formal background check for all those working in frontline roles in the UK. The purpose of these statutory checks is to safeguard the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults.
DBS checks are carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service who are a public body sponsored by the Home Office.
What type of DBS check will I need?
There are four types of DBS checks:
- Basic DBS
- Standard DBS
- Enhanced DBS
- Enhanced DBS with barring lists
As a member of the Royal Navy working in the medical branch, you will need the strongest level of check which is the enhanced DBS with barred lists.
The current guidelines for DBS checks for all public-facing roles, including medical staff in the Royal Navy, came about with the introduction of the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Under the act a DBS check for a member of the Royal Navy Medical Branch is an enhanced DBS check with barred lists. This CRB check will involve a search for any unspent or spent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings.
The Disclosure and Barring Service will also check if there is any further non-conviction information in existence with relevant police forces or entries on the children’s and vulnerable adults barred lists.
Do I have to take a DBS check?
As a member of medical staff, you are working with adults in a vulnerable state.
The 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act makes it a legal offence for members of the Royal Navy Medical Branch to evade a DBS check or leave information undisclosed, therefore you have a duty to take the DBS check for a member of the Royal Navy Medical Branch.
Don’t assume past criminal records will automatically prevent you from joining the Royal Navy. On disclosing any criminal history, the Royal Navy will assess the type of offence committed and sentence served. For further information about joining the Royal Navy Medical Branch visit Royal Navy.uk.
If you want to find out more about your legal rights and how enhanced DBS checks work, visit: hub.unlock.org.uk/rehabilitationofoffendersact
