School’s out for summer and thousands of University students and school leavers around the country are scouring the internet for jobs which will see them through the summer and help them save some cash for the next academic year. Retail, restaurant and bar work are traditional choices for students trying to earn some cash, but zero contracts and short-term contracts are becoming more popular in other industries too. Students, especially those studying for degrees in healthcare related subjects, are increasingly signing up with care agencies for summer work, either in residential homes or going into people’s homes to help with personal care. It’s a great way of getting practical experience which you can draw on when being interviewed for a full-time position, but there are a few hoops you might have to jump through first.
Not Just Caring Roles
Although the care sector is the biggest area which employs an army of temporary workers and requires DBS checking, this isn’t the only industry affected. Students or young people applying for jobs working with children in summer camps or English language schools for foreign teenagers will also require checking, as will those working as sports coaches, lifeguards and similar. There’s a long list on the government website detailing all the types of occupations which require DBS checking and at which level. Employers aren’t free to decide who to check. DBS checking is generally not needed for summer roles working in a hotel, shop, bar or restaurant.
Getting the DBS Done
Many employers won’t allow you to start work before your DBS check paperwork comes through, so it’s in your own best interests to keep things moving as quickly as possible. You’ll need to show proof of your identity and address to kick the whole process off, so if you’re asked to bring identification to interview make sure you take originals of the required documents and don’t delay if you’re asked to send them in afterwards. If you’re really desperate to start work immediately, ask whether there are other roles you can do while you’re waiting for your DBS certificate to come through, or consider trying to pick up some other type of casual work while you’re waiting. Some areas of the country experience a surge in DBS applications at certain time of the year prompted by an influx of seasonal workers, so try to get in ahead of the crowd.
Plan Ahead for Next Year
The delays in getting a DBS can cost you a couple of weeks’ salary which is a big deal when you’re only perhaps working for 12 weeks over the summer. Consider planning ahead for next summer by registering for the DBS Update service. This system allows you to log into the DBS system online, and let employers see your record immediately. It also updates information in real time, giving an added layer of security. If you’re returning to the same employer the next year your original DBS may still be valid, but going to another employer will mean starting the DBS process again, unless you’re with the Update service.
