Here at uCheck, within our bespoke DBS system, for every DBS application submitted, the employer will be required to complete the ‘position applied for’ field on the management section of our portal. The Disclosure and Barring Service, who are the government body which vet all applications, will therefore examine this part of the application form when assessing the eligibility of an application.
Although completing this field may sound simple, there are few points to bear in mind to ensure an eligible application is submitted, and to avoid delays with the vetting procedure. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is that the ‘position applied for’ field should reflect the aspect of their job which entitles a person to a DBS check rather than just their specific job title.
For instance a manager in a care home who is, as part of their role, overseeing those who provide care, would be eligible for a DBS check based on this aspect of their job. Consequently, the ‘position applied for’ should not purely state ‘Manager’ but should reflect their eligibility for a DBS check itself by stating ‘Care Home Manager’.
In addition, many individuals will be entitled to a DBS check based on where they are working rather than the job itself. This is particularly relevant for sub-contractors who are applying for DBS checks.
For example a heating engineer is not entitled to a DBS check, but by working in a school or care home, and meeting the frequency, they would be eligible. In these cases, the place of work should be reflected in the position applied for field as this is the aspect which will make them eligible for a DBS disclosure. Therefore ‘Heating Engineer’ should become ‘Heating Engineer in School’ or another example would be simply ‘Contractor in Care Home’. As you can see for both of these examples they indicate where they are working and not just what their job title is.
The ‘position applied for’ field also affects other aspects of a DBS application such as the workforce type and any barred list checks that will be requested on the application.
Please find examples below:
An administrator in a care home
An individual in this role would be eligible for an enhanced disclosure as they are working in a care home. However they wouldn’t be eligible for an adult’s barred list unless they were providing care, or working in another form of regulated activity. If this was the case, the position applied for field should state ‘Care Home Administrator & Carer’ and not just ‘Care Home Administrator’ to ensure the DBS can see the applicant’s eligibility for the barred list check.
If you have any questions regarding the ‘position applied for’ section on an application or need any advice about the DBS checking process in general then be sure to get in touch with us if you have any further questions. You can apply for a number of DBS Checks through our simple online platform – most checks are completed within 48 hours. Get started now.
