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What Is Safeguarding And Why Is It Important?

safeguarding

What is safeguarding and why is it important?

Safeguarding means protecting children and vulnerable adults’ health, wellbeing and human rights.

There is a wide range of legislation and government guidance in place, such as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), to ensure safeguarding is carried out properly and in the right places.

All organisations that work or come into contact with children or vulnerable adults need to have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

This includes voluntary and community groups, faith groups, private sector providers, schools, hospitals and sports clubs.

A safeguarding policy must stipulate details of the practical measures an organisation undertakes to protect the vulnerable groups it works with.

This might include a code of conduct detailing the type of behaviour expected from staff, and details of how they will be vetted to ensure their suitability to work within the organisation.

What is a DBS check?

DBS checks are usually carried out on anyone who works or volunteers with children or vulnerable adults.

Employers carry out DBS checks before allowing employees to work in a Regulated Activity with children or vulnerable adults to ensure they haven’t been barred from doing so.

The DBS replaced the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). It was introduced to ensure recruiters made safe decisions about who they employed.

The DBS check is a vetting process which searches the applicant’s name and personal details against criminal records and other sources, including the Police National Computer (PNC).

Since 2006, all police records of arrest have been kept indefinitely on the PNC. This means anyone who is arrested for an offence has been recorded on the database.

Once the applicant’s details have been cross-referenced, a disclosure certificate will be issued. This will contain details of any convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings the applicant has.

How to get a DBS check

Individuals can only apply for Basic Checks on themselves – Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks must be done by their employer or potential employer.  

The employing organisation can do this by registering with the DBS themselves, or registering with an umbrella body like uCheck who can provide them with a Basic DBS.

uCheck is registered with the DBS, which means we’re permitted to carry out checks on people who need to be independently verified for their role or job.

A DBS check is essential for some roles, such as teaching or nursing, because of the groups of people these professionals work with.

It’s not possible to fail a DBS check, but an applicant may be rejected for a role if the check reveals any information that suggests they’re unsuitable for the position.

What is needed for a DBS check?

In order to complete the process, applicants must provide all previous addresses from the last five years, a passport or birth certificate and a current utility bill or current bank statement to confirm their current address.

How long does a DBS check take?

Once an organisation has registered with us, requesting a DBS Check via our online system takes just five minutes. DBS applications submitted through our system take on average 48 hours to be completed, though sometimes they can take longer. Our record is 61 minutes!

Get in touch today to find out how uCheck can help your organisation with the DBS check process.

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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