When submitting a DBS application an applicant must select their workforce type. It is important to select the correct workforce as for Enhanced Disclosures this will also affect the barred list checks.
Adult Workforce means working in relation to vulnerable adults. Therefore any role which either requires working in regulated activity with adults or managing those who do should select ‘Adult Workforce’ when submitting a DBS application. The DBS also remains the right to criminally assess anyone whose work is described under ‘work with adults’ in the appropriate legislation. The legislations which affect DBS checking requirements are:
- The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 Statutory Instrument 2013/1194
- The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2000
- The Care Standards Act 2000
- The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Regulated activity is determined by considering the points below:
Is the applicant:
- Providing personal care?
- A healthcare professional?
- Providing social work?
- Providing assistance with cash/bills and/or shopping?
- Providing assistance with personal affairs?
- Conveying to health or social care?
Therefore those who work in regulated activity or manage those who do should select Adult Workforce when submitting an application. There are other roles which qualify for adult workforce due to their description appearing in legislation. These are determined by the level of interaction with vulnerable adults.
Roles that are included are:
Anyone providing teaching, instruction, guidance, treatment, therapy, care or supervision for adults who reside within these locations:
- Accommodation for nursing or expectant mothers
- Sheltered housing
- A residential special school or residential further education college
- A prison, remand centre or secure training centre
- Residential or nursing care accommodation
Or providing the above because of their age, health or disability or because they need help remaining on their own or living independently.
Legislation also includes roles that:
- Manage/ control websites mainly for vulnerable adults
- Provide advocacy services to adults who receive health or social care services, those who receive direct payments or those in a prison or removal centre or on probation.
- Involve driving vulnerable adults to health or social care due to either their age or a disability.
Legislation also details roles that involve contact with vulnerable adults, these include:
- An Inspector who has contact with those in health or social care due to an inspection either through the Care Quality Commission or in Wales.
- Someone working where they have opportunity for contact with vulnerable adults, e.g. a cleaner in a care home.
- Someone working with those in Prison/ any removal centre or those on probation
If an applicant’s role is included in the roles listed, or is working in relation to regulated activity, they should select Adult Workforce when submitting an application.
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.
