A Guide To DBS Checks for Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals are one of the main career types that need to get criminal background checks before starting work. The main reason for this is that healthcare professionals come under safeguarding regulations as they provide direct care to children or vulnerable adults.
Any role that involves the provision of healthcare to vulnerable adults or children on a frequent basis is defined as a ‘regulated activity’, which means that any employees involved in that role will require an Enhanced DBS Check and barred list check.
In this article, we’ll look at the safeguarding requirements surrounding DBS Checks in more detail and how healthcare professionals can apply for DBS Checks.
What is an Enhanced DBS Check?
As mentioned earlier, most healthcare professionals will need an Enhanced DBS Check due to the nature of their work. An enhanced DBS Check reveals any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands that are present on an individual’s criminal record.
Enhanced DBS Checks are the highest level of check available and if the role is a regulated activity, will also need a barred list check, which involves seeing if the person’s details are present on a list of people who are not allowed to work with children, vulnerable adults, or both groups.
How do healthcare professionals apply for a DBS Check?
Safeguarding regulation states that Enhanced DBS Checks must be applied when the role is a regulated activity or involves frequent care of children or vulnerable adults.
Most healthcare professionals will be requested to get a DBS Check by their employer before they start working in the role. The hospital or care facility will take care of the verification and submission of the DBS Check application, either by post or online.
For healthcare professionals that are freelance or consultants who work externally to a DBS registered practice, the process may be different. For instance, a physiotherapist who has their own practice may need to request a DBS certificate for themself. To do this, they will need to get a DBS-registered organisation or umbrella body to do it for them. We can provide this service here.
Our service involves providing an online application form which we will check for accuracy, as well as verifying the identity documents in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) guidelines.
What about self-employed locums?
If somebody is a healthcare professional who is self-employed, but doesn’t have a private company and instead works as a contractor or locum, they may be able to get a DBS Check through the regulatory or governing body for their specialism or field.
Alternatively, if they are being hired through a recruitment agency, they may be DBS registered and be able to submit the application.
If you have any questions about applying for a DBS Check as a healthcare professional, then get in touch today.
