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No. 1 for Employer DBS Checks As Rated by Govt Stats

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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Our HR Platform is built with security in mind. We are ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certified, so you can have peace of mind that your data is safe with us.

Join our revolutionary online checking Platform!

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

About DBS Checks

Get fast Basic, Standard & Enhanced DBS Checks with us. We’ve offered online DBS Checks for employers since 2010, assisting businesses just like yours in hiring the right candidates for their teams whilst only paying for the DBS checks they need!

Why use uCheck for DBS Checks?

Rapid

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!

Trusted

We’re trusted by over 30,000 happy customers and we process more than 600,000 DBS Checks per year. 

Secure

Our platform, Atlas, is built with security in mind. We are ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certified, so you can have peace of mind that your data is safe with us.

Join our revolutionary online checking platform!

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

There are 3 types of Online DBS Checks that we offer:

Basic

Basic DBS Checks show any unspent conviction or cautions on an individual’s record. They are available to anyone and can be used for any purpose. Prices start at £37.20 per check if purchasing 1 – 50, to £28.90 for 1,001+. 

Standard

A Standard DBS Check will show any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, final warnings, and reprimands. They are only available for certain roles listed in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975) and the Police Act 1997. Prices are identical to Basic checks. 

Enhanced

An Enhanced DBS Check is the most comprehensive type of check, which includes all the same information as a Standard check, plus relevant information held by local police forces. It is only available for roles involving close contact with children or vulnerable adults. Prices start at £65.20 per check if purchasing 1 – 50, to £56.90 for 1,001+. 

What’s covered in an online DBS Check?

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 Atlas platform work?

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Atlas 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 Atlas 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.

Atlas is designed to make online DBS 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.
  • Prevent unsuitable candidates. DBS Checks can also help you to identify candidates who might be unsuitable for a specific role, even if they are not barred from working with vulnerable groups, they could have a criminal history that is relevant to the position.
  • 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 in 2012 when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

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 Atlas, 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.

Our 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.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, certain cautions and convictions become ‘protected’ or ‘spent’ after a certain period of time has passed. This means they no longer need to be disclosed on most job applications, including those requiring a DBS check.

Whether a caution or conviction is protected depends on the type of offence, the sentence received, and the age of the person at the time of the offence. Some serious offences are never protected and will always be disclosed on a DBS certificate.

A DBS Check is required for any role involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. This includes roles in healthcare, education, social work, and childcare.

Some other roles may also require a DBS Check, even if they don’t involve direct contact with vulnerable groups. This could include roles in finance, security, or legal professions.

When reviewing a DBS certificate, employers should pay close attention to any disclosed information, including:

  • Cautions and convictions: Consider the nature of the offence, how long ago it happened, and whether it is relevant to the role in question.
  • Police intelligence: This information is included on Enhanced DBS certificates and may relate to concerns raised by local police forces.  
  • Barring information: This indicates that the individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Employers should have a clear policy in place for assessing DBS certificates and should consider seeking legal advice if they have any concerns about the information disclosed.

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