FAQs

What is a DBSAF check?

August 5th, 2014 by Jonathan Bazely

What is a DBSAF check? A DBSAF check (or Disclosure and Barring Service Adult First check) is an accelerated check of the DBS Barred List for working with Adults. It was previously called an ISAAF (or Independent Safeguarding Authority Adult First) or a POVA First (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) check. The results of the check […]

How to make an Employment Decision

June 27th, 2014 by Jonathan Bazely

For most employers this is the final decision to make once the results of a criminal records check have been received. Where there is no Certificate content to evaluate, which is a majority of cases, this is an easy decision. For most employers it becomes slightly more complicated if the Certificate has revealed some further information […]

What is ‘Working from the Home Address’ on the DBS form?

June 11th, 2014 by Jonathan Bazely

When do I tick the ‘Working from Home Address’ box on a DBS form? This specific question was added to DBS forms and online applications as part of the May/June 2013 changes. The applicant or person requesting the check should use this box to indicate if they (or the applicant) are carrying out the work […]

What is Approved Additional Information?

March 28th, 2014 by Jonathan Bazely

As part of the checks undertaken with an Enhanced-Level DBS application, the DBS will ask the Local Police Forces (LPFs) if they hold any additional information relating to the applicant being checked. This query will be sent to all the LPFs which cover areas where the applicant has lived over the last 5 years, although […]

What are the March 2014 changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act?

March 7th, 2014 by Jonathan Bazely

On the 10th March 2014 the Government introduced changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment Act 2012. These changes have altered the amount of time that convictions take to become classed as ‘spent’ meaning the subject does not need to reveal them to an interested party requesting […]

Can I use a c/o address for my application?

February 10th, 2014 by Jonathan Bazely

The DBS will allow applicants living overseas to use a ‘Care of’ address, as they are unlikely to receive their Certificate at their home address, as the DBS may not post their Certificate. The applicant must provide permission for their Certificate to be sent to this address, and the form must clearly identify this as […]

I receive online statements / utility bills, what can I do?

October 3rd, 2013 by Jonathan Bazely

The documents that a Registered Body can accept in support of an Enhanced/Standard Disclosure application are defined by the Disclosure and Barring Service. In the official guidance, they specify that original documents must be used, and photocopies or documents printed by an applicant are not acceptable. Excluded from this list of acceptable documents are mobile […]

What is the DBS Update Service?

July 1st, 2013 by Jonathan Bazely

The DBS Update Service was launched by the Disclosure and Barring Service on 17th June 2013. An applicant must join the service and pay an annual subscription fee direct to the DBS.* Once joined the applicant can potentially re-use a Disclosure Certificate by giving permission to a new employer to check online that the document […]

What is the difference between a PVG Scheme application and a DBS Check?

March 25th, 2013 by Jonathan Bazely

There are several key differences between the application for a DBS Disclosure and an application to join the PVG scheme. Below are some of the key differences and the questions an employer should ask before deciding on the correct process: Where will the applicant be working? To be eligible for the PVG Scheme the applicant […]

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What are children’s or adult’s lists?

March 15th, 2013 by Jonathan Bazely

The Adult’s list and the Children’s lists are the two current systems for recording those individuals actively barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. The lists have existed in various forms over the past few years, such as List 99, Protection of Vulnerable Adults list (POVA), Protection of Children Act (POCA) list and the […]