People who are working in care in any capacity as a job will need to get a DBS Check. As this will involve the healthcare of vulnerable adults and children, then an Enhanced DBS Check will be needed.
DBS checks for care staff are not only necessary for the safety of those in their care but also help ensure a suitable candidate is hired.
Who is Eligible for a DBS Check?
DBS Checks for Care and Residential Care Homes
If your staff are working in nursing or residential care homes, you can get your Nurses and Carers to work quickly with our Enhanced DBS checks.
Our system allows you to easily complete your DBS applications and get your candidates into supervised work within 48 hours when you apply for an Adult First check, as part of the Enhanced DBS check.
DBS Checks for Hospitals
Enhanced DBS Checks are also required for those who work in a hospital such as Doctors and Nurses. This is again because they will be looking after children and vulnerable adults who are ill.
DBS Checks for Home-Based Positions
Home-based positions are when the applicant carries out some or all of their work with children or adults from the place where the applicant lives.
These checks are often Enhanced DBS checks, and more information can be found on the dedicated home-based DBS check page.
Do You Need a DBS Check to Work in a Care Home?
Yes, staff who are working in nursing or residential care homes or any type of healthcare need a dbs check.
By undertaking DBS checks on healthcare staff, the risk of the hiring process is greatly reduced, as they are not only necessary for the safety of residents and those in their care but also to ensure a suitable candidate is hired.
What Are Vulnerable Adults?
Vulnerable Adults are classed as those over 18 years old who are ‘in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.’ (UK Government)
What Level Of DBS Check Do You Need to Work in a Nursing or Residential Care Home?
Depending on the role the applicant will undertake, this will determine which DBS Check they are legally allowed to apply for.
Enhanced DBS Check With an Adult Barred List
These candidates will likely be engaging in regulated activity with vulnerable adults, so they will more than likely need to undergo an Enhanced DBS Check, with some of your staff needing the Adults Barred List check as well. This includes roles such as Nurses and Carers who are giving hands-on healthcare.
Enhanced DBS Check Without Adult Barred List
These are the roles that do not provide hands-on healthcare to vulnerable adults, but rather just engage in regulated activity. This must also be performed more than once a week or three times a month.
Roles Which Typically Require an Enhanced DBS Check With No Adult Barred List include: Personal Care, Handling Cash, Helping with Shopping or Bills, Transporting an Individual, or Social Care.
DBS Checks for Nurses
Because Nurses will be working with children or vulnerable adults, providing heathcare in a hospital or elsewhere, then an Enhanced DBS check with barring lists will be required.
DBS Checks for Doctors
Doctors will also be working with children or vulnerable adults, providing heathcare in a hospital or elsewhere, so an Enhanced DBS check with barring lists will be also be required for them.
What’s an Adult First Check?
The DBS Adult First Check allows employees to start engaging in regulated activities (whilst being supervised) before the full Enhanced DBS Check with Adult Barred List certificate is completed and returned.
Who Can Get the Adult First Check?
This service is only available to employers who are eligible to access the DBS’s Adult’s Barred List and who have requested a check of the Barred Lists on the DBS application form.
This service costs a Government flat fee of £6 and a small admin fee from just £2.83. You can read more about the Adults First Check on our dedicated page.
How Much Does a DBS Cost?
For DBS checks in care, the following is how much you will pay:
Enhanced DBS Check with Adult Barred List Check = £38 (Government Fee) + £9.95 (Admin Fee*)
Enhanced DBS Check with Adult Barred List Check = £38 (Government Fee) + £9.95 (Admin Fee*)
With the Additional Adult First Check = £6 (Government Fee) + £4.95 (Admin Fee*)
*The admin fee can be reduced to as little as £5.69 for the DBS Check and £2.83 for the Adult First check.
How Employers of Care Home Staff Can Benefit From Our Online DBS Check System
You can read more about the benefits which we offer by visiting our dedicated DBS Benefits page.
Get Started Today
If you want to get started with your staff’s DBS checks, you can do so right away! As Aaron’s Department is a Registered DBS Umbrella Body, we will process your Enhanced DBS check requests the same day as receiving them, to ensure the fastest possible turnaround.
Should you need any further help with what check you require for your staff, you can email us at contact@fasterdbs.co.uk or give one of our team a call on +44 113 877 0171.