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IMPORTANT Changes to Criminal Background Checks SERVICE
Applicant only DBS Disclosure certificates
There have been some important changes to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which has replaced the previous CRB system. As these changes affect you and your staff, please read on.
The introduction of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 has meant that from 17 June, DBS disclosure certificates will only be sent to the applicant directly and a copy will no longer be sent to the Registered Body (i.e. District or County Council). This will apply to both new applications and renewals.
The regulations however require the Council to inspect the original disclosure certificate, and to record whether the certificate shows that an individual has a trace (i.e. a conviction or caution) or not.
Given the large numbers of drivers and passenger assistants working on Council contracts across the county and beyond, the new process that applicants will have to comply with will be as follows:
1. The Council is informed by the DBS that a certificate has been sent to a named driver or passenger assistant
2. A member of our will telephone/email the driver or passenger assistant to arrange the checking of the original certificate
3. The applicant can then do one of 2 things:
a. Bring the certificate into us where it will be checked, the details recorded, and handed straight back to them
b. Send the certificate by Recorded Delivery, it will then be checked, the details recorded and sent back by Recorded Delivery, by return
4. If there is no trace on the disclosure form, the renewal will be processed and the applicant will be allowed to work on Council contracts and if applicable, an ID badge will be processed
5. If there is a trace on the disclosure form, then as with the process now, this will be passed to the HR department of Children & Young Adults to investigate and interview the applicant. Depending on the severity of the trace, you may be suspended from driving/assisting passengers until after the investigation.
For information, under the same legislation, the DBS has also introduced an ‘Update Service’, which allows employers to check an individual’s DBS status on line and remove the need for a further disclosure (the cost is £13.00 per individual or free for volunteers). This is in the early stages of development and the Council is looking into this, but it may be possible that adopting this service could eliminate repeat disclosures and reduce administration.
I am aware that this new change has come at the same time as the introduction of the new Framework that is causing additional work for you all. However, this change is totally out of our hands and we have received little notice of its implementation.
To summarise some of the key points:
Only the applicant receives the disclosure certificate
We do not receive a copy of the disclosure certificate
We will need to see the original certificates and not a copy
You will need to bring the original certificate in for inspection OR
You must send it Recorded Delivery to ensure its safe arrival
This applies to all operators of Council contracts - regardless of whether you are intending to apply on to the Framework or not
All applicants with a trace on their disclosure will be treated in exactly the same way i.e. investigated / interviewed if necessary.
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