The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) now carries out work formerly performed by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). It assists employers in their recruitment of suitable employees, particularly for those professions in which employees are in contact with children and vulnerable adults.
In particular, the DBS processes requests for criminal records checks – now known as DBS checks. The DBS also decides whether an individual should be placed on or removed from a barred list. The DBS checks through police records and other relevant information to issue a DBS certificate to an applicant.
DBS Check Eligibility
Only prospective employees aged 16 or over can be asked to apply for a criminal record check. However, only registered employers who are legally entitled to ask an individual to reveal their entire criminal history can have access to the DBS checking service.
Referrals
In addition to carrying out criminal record checks, the DBS also receives referrals from employers or other organisations, such as a regulatory body, who are concerned about an individual and whether they have caused harm or pose a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults.
Barring List
The DBS adds individuals to a barring list in response to any harm that has occurred or a perceived risk of harm – often difficult decisions. The conditions and decisions regarding which individuals will be placed on these lists are complicated, and more information can be obtained directly from the DBS regarding these issues. There is a barred list in respect of children and a barred list in respect of vulnerable adults.
The effect of a person being included on a barring list is that an employer or manager will be committing an illegal act if they hire someone to carry out a regulated activity from which they are barred. In addition, a person who is barred is also breaking the law if they carry out, or even apply for, work which they are barred from.
The DBS works closely with the police, who provide police national computer information as well as locally held information in relation to any individual for whom a DBS check is requested – most frequently through individual companies such as http://www.carecheck.co.uk/.
The DBS also works closely with the Home Office, the Department for Education and the Department of Health.