DBS Checks for Child Contact Centre employees
As it is a child contact centre, contact between staff and children is obviously going to happen. In this article we will explain what roles within a child contact centre would qualify and which level would be appropriate.
But why do people need DBS Checks? Overall, they are used for safeguarding purposes. The aim is to make sure that everybody who works with vulnerable adults or children is suitable to do so.
Enhanced DBS Checks
If a role includes a regulated activity with children then they will be suitable for an Enhanced DBS Check with a check of the children’s barred list. The children’s barred list includes people who are not allowed to engage in a regulated activity.
Child centres do not fall into the categories of organisations like schools, nurseries or children’s homes. This means that working in a child centre is not guaranteed to be automatically eligible for an Enhanced Check. It depends on the staff member’s role and what it includes.
What roles require Enhanced DBS Checks?
There are certain activities that qualify as a regulated activity if done unsupervised and regularly. Examples are: teaching, training, instructing, caring, supervising, advising, guiding children or driving a vehicle only for children. This means that some roles like: social workers, counsellors, support and youth workers are always classed as carrying out a regulated activity.
This means that anybody who is doing these activities then an Enhanced Check will be suitable in their case.
How do DBS Checks work around supervision?
In some cases, the child is being supervised by a parent or carer so they hold responsibility over them. But sometimes, people have volunteered or become employed in child centres to supervise children. So if a member of staff supervises a child without their parent or carer, then an Enhanced DBS Check without a check of the barred list would be necessary.
What about staff who don’t carry out a regulated activity?
A member of staff who does not engage with a regulated activity as a part of their role will not need anything higher than a Basic DBS Check. Anybody who is 16 or over can get one.
To find out more about DBS checks for child centre staff, get in touch with one of our expert advisors today.
