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DBS Checks for Employers

Why use uCheck for DBS Checks?

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Our easy-to-use HR Platform streamlines the process and minimises delays. We complete most DBS Checks online within 48 hours - our record is 13 minutes!

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We're trusted by over 30,000 happy customers and we process more than 600,000 DBS Checks per annum. We're also Home Office approved.

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Sign up for a one-off fee of £49.00 + VAT

About DBS Checks

What are online DBS Checks?

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provides DBS Checks to enable employers to check prospective employees’ criminal history. DBS Checks are designed to help employers make safe recruitment decisions and prevent people from doing work they’re unsuitable for.

Online DBS checks for employers are the preferred choice for accessing essential information quickly and streamlining decision-making processes.

What’s included in online DBS checks?

Online DBS checks for employers typically include details about an individual’s criminal record history, including any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. This information helps employers make informed decisions regarding the suitability of candidates for employment in roles that involve working with vulnerable groups or handling sensitive information

Benefits of online DBS checks for employers

Carrying out DBS checks online offers convenience, ease and faster turnaround times for receiving the results. Other benefits of DBS checks for employers include: 

  • Faster processing – Fill your positions quickly and promptly courtesy of fast processing times. We can get your online DBS check done and dusted in as little as 48 hours! 
  • Save time and money – Have all your DBS checks in one place with our tidy online HR software. Online DBS checks eliminate administrative headaches, saving you time and money by removing the need for processing, posting, and printing.
  • Convenience – Applicants can complete online DBS checks through access to the uCheck platform. 
  • Track progress in real time – With our sleek online platform, you can stay up-to-date with the progress of your applicants in real time. 
  • Easily accessible results – Once the application has been completed, it’s super easy to get the results in an instant! You’ll receive an automatic email notification showing whether the online DBS check is clear. The results certificate will be posted to the applicant, and you’ll be able to download an online summary as a PDF.

How does the uCheck HR Platform work?

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Our HR Platform is a revolutionary online DBS service that enables employers to request and track DBS Checks (as well as other pre-employment checks!) quickly and easily.

The Platform seamlessly guides users through the DBS online application process, with handy tips and guidance every step of the way.

Once you’ve registered your organisation with us, your applicants will be able to add their personal details to the system.

You’ll get an automatic email notification when it’s time to proceed to the ID check, and the HR Platform will prompt you through to make sure you get it right.

The DBS tracking function lets you see the status of applications at a glance, and you’ll get another automatic notification as soon as a check is complete.

The uCheck Platform is designed to make DBS online checks as quick and easy as possible – but if you have any questions our dedicated Client Support Team is only a phone call, email or live chat away!

Why get DBS Checks for your employees?

uCheck is one of the UK’s leading providers of DBS Checks for employers – but what are the benefits of getting a DBS online with uCheck?

  • Protect vulnerable people. DBS Checks are designed to prevent unsuitable candidates from working with vulnerable people. If you have employees who will be working in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, it is against the law to employ someone who is barred from working with these groups. DBS Checks are a vital part of the safeguarding process.
  • Avoid risk. It’s illegal to employ someone to work in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults if they’ve been barred from doing so. Avoid risks to both your organisation and the vulnerable groups it serves by conducting DBS Checks as necessary. Our online enhanced DBS checks service is great for protecting employers and businesses in the healthcare and education sectors.
  • Have confidence in your employees. DBS Checks help give you peace of mind that you’re hiring the right people for the job. If your employees aren’t eligible for Standard or Enhanced Checks, Basic Checks can give you an extra level of reassurance in your job candidates.

How to apply for online DBS checks

To apply for any of our DBS checks, simply follow these five steps:

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  • Register your organisation’s details with our simple sign-up form – it takes less than five minutes!
  • Our dedicated team will process your registration within four working hours and provide you with access to our online portal.
  • Your applicants can then access the HR Platform and submit their personal details.
  • The Platform will guide you through the rest of the application, including the ID check, and our Client Support Team will be on hand to help if you need it.
  • That’s it! Simply submit your application and wait for the results.

What happened to CRB Checks?

The DBS was formed when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Previously, the CRB helped employers access criminal record information through CRB Checks, and the ISA operated barred lists containing details of people who were considered unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.

When the DBS formed, it took over both of these functions. DBS Checks replaced CRB Checks, with barred list checks being an additional requirement for eligible candidates.

Online DBS Checks FAQs

There are three main levels of checks: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. Employers must assess the specific requirements of the role and responsibilities involved to determine the appropriate level of DBS check needed to ensure the safety and security of their workplace and stakeholders.

Using uCheck’s platform, you simply need to provide your personal data: address history for the past 5 years, your personal information and payment details.

You’ll then need to have your ID verified by someone who isn’t a partner or relative of yours.

uCheck will complete final checks on your data and send your application to the DBS.

We’ll let you know as soon as your application has completed processing with the DBS.

You’ll be able to view the summary result on the uCheck platform, and you’ll receive your certificate.

Registration is just £49.00 plus VAT. This is a one-off cost – after you’ve registered, you’ll pay for online DBS Checks as and when you need them.

While uCheck cannot do anything to influence the time it takes your local police force to process the Employer DBS Check, there are ways you can avoid unnecessary delays to the processing.

You can do this by ensuring there are no errors on the online DBS check form and that all fields are filled in and correct to the best of your knowledge.

uCheck’s platform will guide you through the application process, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and therefore reducing the possibility of delays.

If you will be working in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, it is against the law for your employer to employ someone who is barred from working with these groups.

To avoid risk to the organisation and the vulnerable groups it works with, you should not be permitted by your employer to start work before receiving a DBS Check.

Employers providing care services for adults can make use of a service called DBS Adult First if they wish the applicant to start working sooner, under supervision. This check can only be completed if the applicant is in a regulated activity with vulnerable adults.

Within a few days, this will indicate whether an applicant can start work in a supervised position or whether the employer should wait for the full results of the Enhanced DBS Check.

As well as their personal details, including a full five-year address history, applicants will need to provide several documents as proof of identification. A full list of acceptable documents is available on the DBS website.

Through uCheck’s online HR Platform, you can request and track DBS Checks and other pre-employment checks.

The platform guides you through the DBS application process and is easy to use.

Once you’ve registered with uCheck, your applicants can add their personal details and then the platform lets you know when you need to proceed to an ID check.

The platform allows you to track the status of applications at a glance, and will let you know when the check is finished and the results are ready.

DBS Checks are completed within 48 hours on average. However, some may take longer depending on how long the DBS and police take to process the application.

There is no law stating that employers should pay for employees’ DBS Checks.

It is at the discretion of the employer whether they cover the cost, or require the employee to pay for their DBS Check.

You might be able to use the same DBS Check certificate for another job as long as the new position matches your previous role and workplace.

This is because the role and workplace would have determined the level and detail of DBS Check undertaken.

This stops your old certificate from showing less information than is required for the new role, as well as showing more information than your new employer is legally able to view.

It is also at your employer’s discretion whether they wish to carry out another DBS Check – for example if the previous check was completed a while ago, or whether their company policy states new checks must be done for all new employees.

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