A Guide To DBS Checks For Legal Professionals
As all law professionals know – the security of client data is paramount.
One way to ensure that people working as legal professionals are trustworthy and reliable is by conducting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
But what exactly is a DBS check and how do they apply to law professionals? In this blog post, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to DBS checks and how they can help to protect client data. Let’s dive in!
What Is A DBS Check?
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is an essential tool for legal firms who need to make sure that their staff members or contractors are trustworthy and reliable.
The purpose of the check is to determine whether or not someone has been convicted of any offences in the past or has any previous convictions on their record. The check will also assess whether or not the person poses a risk to themselves or other people in their profession.
When Should You Conduct A DBS Check?
Legal firms should conduct a DBS check only when necessary, as it can be time consuming and expensive. Generally speaking, it is recommended that legal companies conduct a DBS check if they are hiring someone new, if they are outsourcing work to external contractors, or if they are working with vulnerable individuals such as children or elderly people. It should be noted that all three scenarios require different types of screenings so it’s important to be aware of which type of screening you need before proceeding with the process.
The types of legal roles that may need a DBS check include:
- Solicitors
- Barristers
- Legal Executives
- Paralegals
- Court clerks
- Legal Secretaries
- Legal cashiers
- Trainee solicitors
- Notaries public
- Immigration advisers
- Mediators
- Probation service officers
- Legal advisors in the police force.
How To Conduct A DBS Check
Conducting a DBS check is relatively straightforward but there are some steps involved in the process which must be followed carefully.
To apply by post:
Firstly, you need to complete a paper application form by hand or on a computer, which requires details about the applicant such as name, date of birth, address etc. You will also have to pay an administrative fee for processing the application.
Once this has been done, you can then send off the application form via post or email depending on what type of screening it requires. After your request has been processed successfully, you will receive confirmation either by post or email within 10-14 days depending on what type of screening was conducted.
To apply online:
Online applications are much easier and faster than postal applications. All you need to do is access our online application form, fill it in, then we’ll check it (if there are any missing sections or errors, we’ll let you know right away) and send it directly to the DBS for processing. You will often receive the results within 48 hours, with the certificate following within 14 days.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s important for legal professionals to understand how conducting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check can help them protect their clients’ data from potential threats posed by untrustworthy individuals or parties.
By following our guide above, legal professionals can easily understand when they should conduct a DBS check. It also explains how to go about applying for one and how long the results take.
We hope this guide was helpful for legal professionals to gain clarity on the importance of DBS checks. If you need any more support with DBS checks, contact one of our expert team today.
