Free DBS checks for the NHS Health Services and Social Care Services
March 30th, 2020 by Jake Waddingham
The DBS have recently announced free of charge applications and fast-track Barred List checks to help with the coronavirus outbreak. This will allow employers recruiting within the NHS health services and social care services, to appoint new recruits into regulated activity quicker. The DBS confirm the individual is not barred from working so they can start with specific measures in place until the full DBS check has been completed.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ‘FREE CHECKS’ ARE ONLY AVAILABLE WHERE THE ROLE IS AIMED AT GETTING STAFF INTO POSITION FASTER, TO PROVIDE CARE OR SUPPORT RELATING TO THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19
The DBS have asked us to remind all employers that requesting the accelerated process free checks, where not required, will result in a slower application process for frontline staff supporting Covid-19 patients.
If you are recruiting in connection with COVID-19 please contact us on 0116 260 3055 or
Email Us or FREE Registration
Which roles are eligible?
The temporary change only applies to applications for health and social care workers being recruited in connection with provision of care and treatment of coronavirus in England and Wales. Please note, the eligible roles are different to those that have been defined as ‘key workers’.
The applicant must be registered or being considered to be registered by the registrar for one of the below professions;
- Nurse, midwife or nursing associate
- Regulated roles within the health profession
- Social worker
- Medical Practitioner
- Pharmacist or pharmacy technician
And the application is required to check the suitability of an applicant’s employability for the purposes of providing or being engaged to provide NHS health services or social care services.
What is the fast-track service?
The fast-track service will allow you to receive results of both the adult’s and children’s barred list by the end of the next working day. The results will be provided to DDC as the Umbrella Body and we will inform you whether no match has been found or that you should wait until the full DBS check is completed before making the recruitment decision.
Applications submitted in this way cannot join the update service.
How do I submit a fast-track application?
For existing clients, please contact the DDC Customer Service Team who will amend the job roles on your client area to ensure you can request a fast-track barred lists check. Before using the free of charge fast-track service you must consider whether the applicant has a recent enhanced disclosure with barred(s) check or is the applicant on the Update Service?
If you are not already benefiting from DDC’s online platform you can ‘Register Now’ for FREE and start processing your DBS checks today. If you have any questions please contact the team on 0116 260 3055 | 0845 644 3298 or contact@ddc.uk.net
