A Guide To DBS Checks for Emergency Service Workers
Emergency services workers are vital to the safe functioning of our society. The emergency services help to protect people from harm, treat people in need of medical care, and prevent serious injury or even death.
The emergency services include police, ambulance drivers or paramedics, and the fire brigade. Each of the emergency services are important in their own right and need to make sure that they are working to the best of their ability.
Part of the recruitment process for the emergency services needs to be making sure that the right people are chosen for these responsible roles, as thousands of members of the public put their lives in the hands of emergency service workers each day.
One way to ensure safer recruitment of people to work in the emergency services is to run criminal background checks, known as DBS Checks. In this guide, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of DBS Checks for emergency services workers, including what levels of checks are needed and how to go about obtaining one.
DBS Checks for Police
Anybody who works directly with children or vulnerable adults needs to get a DBS Check, and the police are no exception.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 legislation states that: ‘persons employed for the purposes of assisting constables of a Police Force established under any enactment’ and ‘police and crime commissioners’ need to get a criminal background check carried out to ensure they are suitable for the role.
The police need to work directly with members of the public, therefore it is a requirement of the job that each applicant to work within the police force gets a DBS Certificate.
DBS Checks for Medical Emergency Services
In a similar way to the police, medical emergency services workers such as ambulance drivers and paramedics work directly with children and vulnerable adults, and will therefore require a DBS Check to be carried out.
In the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 legislation, it states that ‘any office or employment which is concerned with the provision of care services to vulnerable adults’ and ‘healthcare professionals’ need to undergo a criminal background check.
DBS Checks for Fire & Rescue Services
Firefighters do not usually work directly with children and vulnerable adults on a frequent basis, but the role is one that demands a high level of dedication, responsibility, and trust. Therefore, a DBS Check may be required for the role.
Often, a Basic DBS Check (the lowest level) will be enough, as it reveals any unspent convictions that a person has on their criminal record.
However, some other roles in the fire and rescue services may need a higher level DBS Check, such as a role that involves teaching a fire safety course in a school.
Summary of DBS Checks for Emergency Services Workers
DBS Checks are required for most emergency services roles in the police, medical emergency services, and fire and rescue services.
The police, ambulance service, and fire brigade provide a highly valuable service to the British public, and for that reason they need to be reliable and trustworthy. DBS Checks can help to ensure that people employed in emergency services roles are suitable for the job.
To find out more about DBS Checks for emergency service workers, then contact one of our expert advisors today.
