Are DBS Checks for holistic care necessary?
Providing DBS Checks for people that work in the NHS is important, as background checks for health care employees can form a vital part of safeguarding for vulnerable people.
However, does this same approach apply to those who practice holistic care? The practice has a wide range of roles and has seen an increase in popularity in recent years.
Are DBS Check required for these roles? If so, which level of check? Read on for our comprehensive guide:
What is holistic care?
Holistic care is a method that promotes whole body care – not just addressing physical ailments but also spiritual and emotional issues.
It considers a person’s ‘health’ as being made up as a comprehensive mix of all three issues, each of them integrated into the other.
Examples of holistic care can include:
- Acupuncture
- Energy healing
- Hypnosis
- Yoga
- Diet-based therapies
- Guided imagery
- Massage therapy
- Qigong
DBS Checks for holistic care
It has previously been stated by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) that the following employees would be eligible for an enhanced DBS Check with access to the DBS adults’ barred list:
“Individuals who provide health care to adults, either as a health care professional or under the direction or supervision of a health care professional.”
However, if someone is not a regulated healthcare professional, they would not be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check based on this alone. However, they may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check if they are providing any type of hands on personal care.
Personal care refers to acts that help to support personal hygiene, toileting and assisting with eating and drinking.
An exception to this would be if the care has been referred by a GP or other healthcare professional. This would then be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with the relevant barred lists.
DBS Checks for holistic care: a summary
So, are DBS Checks required for holistic care?
It’s fully dependent on the role and circumstance in which they have to interact with people. If an employee is providing hands on personal care or is providing a service that has been referred by a healthcare professional, then they are eligible for an enhanced DBS Check with a relevant barred list.
Otherwise, an employee is not necessarily eligible based on the DBS criteria outlined earlier in the blog.
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.