There is always uncertainty when hiring new employees, whether full-time staff or contractors. Background checks reduce this uncertainty. A standard check reveals any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, and reprimands. An enhanced check also includes details of any notes recorded by police and can include a barred list check.
Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults
When you work with vulnerable groups, like children and adults, you must ensure that the people you bring into your business suit their roles. DBS checks are one way to do this. Employers may request DBS details as part of their hiring process, especially for positions that involve working with vulnerable populations or in sensitive environments.
They allow you to check whether or not someone has a criminal record that could put these groups at risk and can help you avoid hiring someone who might cause problems in the future. A DBS check is a form of background check that details an individual’s criminal history, including any convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC).
The checks also reveal whether or not someone is on the children’s or adults’ barred lists. It is against the law to employ a person on either of these lists for jobs involving working with children or vulnerable adults. A DBS check before bringing someone into your business is the best way to ensure the safety of your staff and the vulnerable people you work with.
But it is important to remember that just because someone has a criminal record does not necessarily mean they are unsuitable for the role. They may have turned their lives around since their conviction or have made good rehabilitation progress and should be given the chance to prove they are a safe choice for your company.
Protecting Your Customers
DBS checks are often a requirement in industries such as healthcare and education, where safeguarding is a key concern. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in serious legal ramifications, and ensuring that your employees are safe to work with vulnerable people is a moral obligation that shouldn’t be overlooked.
As well as demonstrating a duty of care to your employees and customers, DBS checks also protect your business by limiting the damage caused by dangerous or volatile staff. Employee-related issues can be costly financially and to your reputation, so preventing them from occurring is an essential part of running a successful business.
When deciding whether to hire someone new, you must take the time to check their background thoroughly. However, some job applicants may be dishonest or try to conceal information from you. Using a trusted DBS check provider who can carry out digital identity verification, a service that scans official documents to identify any inconsistencies, is an effective way of catching those trying to commit fraud.
It is estimated that 78% of job applicants tell at least one lie on their CV, and while this might not be a significant issue for most jobs, those who work with children or vulnerable adults require a high level of trust to perform the role well.
DBS checks ensure that only those with the right skills, capability, and background are employed in these sensitive positions, reducing the risk of harm to others and damaging your reputation.
Protecting Your Company’s Reputation
DBS checks aren’t just a matter of satisfying regulatory obligations or protecting vulnerable people; they’re also essential for companies to protect their reputations. Employees are a vital part of any business, and the last thing a company wants is for one of its employees to damage its reputation by leaking sensitive information or putting customers in danger.
DBS checks can help weed out potential criminals before joining the company, thereby minimizing the risk of damage. DBS checks can also help prevent internal damage by hiring only the most trustworthy individuals.
For example, if a company hires someone with a history of hacking and then suffers a data leak that damages its reputation with customers, it will likely face legal action from those customers. This could damage its reputation for years to come, as well as the revenue it may have been able to generate from those customers.
DBS checks aren’t just advisable for specific roles; they’re often a legal requirement in industries that involve regulated activities such as healthcare and childcare. Failing to carry out DBS checks in these roles could result in a fine or even prosecution.
Protecting Your Employees
DBS checks allow employers to screen candidates for unspent convictions and warnings that may affect their ability to work in specific roles. This guarantees that workers can concentrate on their tasks without endangering the security of others.
Additionally, it shows stakeholders that your business takes the safety of its employees and those who gain from its services seriously. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) performs criminal record checks, or DBS checks. It was once referred to as the CRB check, but it is currently a mandatory component of the hiring procedure for jobs dealing with vulnerable people.
The most thorough method available for companies to screen applicants and safeguard their staff, clients, and the general public is through DBS checks. While some people believe that DBS checks are an invasion of privacy, this is a small price to pay for ensuring the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
Moreover, DBS checks can help companies save money in the long run by reducing staff turnover and recruitment costs. DBS checks are necessary for anyone who works in regulated activities involving vulnerable groups such as children or adults. This includes those who are volunteers as well as paid employees.
The level of DBS check required will depend on the extent of the person’s role and whether they come into contact with these groups regularly. A basic DBS check is sufficient for shop workers, while those responsible for supervising children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced DBS check with barred lists.
