Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The Disclosure and Barring Service was set up by the government to ensure safer recruitment to protect the vulnerable.
Two types of checks are available; standard and enhanced. A conviction will not necessarily bar you from obtaining employment. You will be advised in the job application pack whether the post requires a check and the level. Posts which involve working with children or vulnerable groups are covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendments) Order 1986 and the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. If this post involves working with children it is also covered by the protection of Children Act 1999.
A caution or conviction will not necessarily debar you from applying for the post. We will consider any previous offences in accordance with our equal opportunities policy. There are, however, certain offences which will debar you from working with children under the regulations made under the Protection of Children's Act 1999, including Schedule 1 offences such as sexual and violent offences.
At interview, or in a separate discussion, we will make sure an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.
Prior to any offer of employment being made, you will be required to complete a disclosure application form. On this form you will need to declare all cautions, bind-over orders and convictions. This includes offences which are considered spent for other purposes or that you may believe have been removed from your record. All information given will be treated as strictly confidential and will be stored securely.
Once completed this disclosure form will be sent to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS will search for relevant information from the:
- police
- Department of Health
- Department for Education and Skills.
The DBS will inform you of their search and they will also send a copy of the result to us. This information will help us make a decision on possible employment.
We will discuss any matter revealed in a disclosure with the person before we withdraw a conditional offer of employment.
If you do take up employment it is necessary for you to inform your line manager of any cautions, bind-overs or convictions you sustain during the subsequent course of your employment. Failure to do so will lead to dismissal.
Important: we will report all persons to the relevant authorities who attempt to obtain employment whilst they are disqualified from working with children or vulnerable adults.
For more details on DBS go to Check someone's criminal record as an employer (GOV.UK).