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Safeguarding Requirements: How DBS Checks Play A Vital Role

Safeguarding is extremely important for all organisations in contact with children or vulnerable adults. Safeguarding requirements mean that organisations should take appropriate steps to ensure that these vulnerable groups are protected from abuse, and have their health and wellbeing maintained.

DBS checks form a vital role in safeguarding requirements, as they are a step towards making sure that those working with these vulnerable groups are appropriate to do so.

Let’s explore how DBS checks can assist your organisation in meeting its safeguarding requirements.

 

What are safeguarding requirements?

A safeguarding policy is paramount for organisations working with children and/or vulnerable adults. It ensures steps are being taken to safeguard the wellbeing of these groups.

Group-specific safeguarding requirements are outlined in different pieces of legislation, such as the Care Act 2014 for vulnerable adults, or the Working Together to Safeguard Children guide.

It’s important to note that as safeguarding requirements are set out in multiple pieces of legislation, requirements also vary between organisations. If you have any queries regarding your safeguarding responsibilities we’d recommend contacting your regulatory body, such as Ofsted or the Care Quality Commission, who can provide further guidance.

 

How can DBS checks assist your organisation?

DBS checks play a crucial role in helping your organisation meet its safeguarding requirements. Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, organisations have a legal duty to check to see whether any employee or volunteer engaging in regulated activity with a vulnerable group is barred from working with them.

This means that if an individual is carrying out a specified activity in relation to children or vulnerable adults, such as providing care, then the employer must check the applicant against the applicable barred list(s).

To do this, the organisation should request an enhanced DBS check for the applicant, and select the appropriate barred list checks as part of the application. By doing this the employer will have met their legal obligations, and can make sure they are meeting their safeguarding requirements.

DBS checks will also provide details of the applicant’s criminal record, including both spent and unspent convictions, as well as any cautions, warnings or reprimands they have on their record. Having access to this information will assist the employer in making a safe recruitment decision.

 

How to apply for DBS checks

Carrying out DBS checks as an organisation is simple and straightforward. All you need to do is register with us at uCheck. You can then get started requesting checks using the online application form.

Once submitted, results are returned, on average, within 48 hours. If the result is clear, then the organisation will be able to view and download a representative copy of the certificate online, so there’s no need to wait for the certificate in the post.

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.

Our blogs are advisory in nature and reflect uCheck Limited’s current thinking about best and common practice in the subjects discussed.

The information contained in our blogs have been provided for information purposes only. This information does not constitute legal, professional, or commercial advice. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the content is up to date, useful and accurate, uCheck gives no guarantees, undertakings, or warranties in this regard, or, for any loss or damage caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with reliance on the use of such information.

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