DBS Checks For Health And Social Care

DBS Checks for Health and Social Care

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DBS Checks for Care

Ensure Safety and Compliance with Our DBS Checks for Healthcare and Social Care Professionals

We specialise in providing DBS Checks for Healthcare professionals and those working in social and care services. Whether you’re recruiting, volunteering, or employed in a Healthcare setting, our thorough background screening ensures the safety of vulnerable individuals and compliance with legal requirements.

A DBS check for healthcare is a background screening that reveals any criminal records, cautions, or relevant information about individuals applying to work in Health or Social Care roles. This check is essential for protecting patients, clients, and the wider community by ensuring only trustworthy individuals have access to sensitive environments.

Why You Need a DBS Check for Care and Social Care Workers

Most Health and Social Care services in England are regulated by the Care Quality Commission. For Wales this is the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, and Care Inspectorate Wales

All three of these organisations have regulations that require the safe and effective recruitment, and therefore many roles in this sector will require an Enhanced DBS Check.

The aims of these policies are to protect vulnerable people. DBS Checks for Healthcare help safeguard children, elderly people, and vulnerable adults by preventing unsuitable individuals from working in care roles.

The Adult First Check explained

The Adults’ Barred List check is an optional component of an Enhanced DBS check. It verifies whether the applicant is legally prohibited from performing Regulated Activity involving adults. Regulated Activity includes duties like providing healthcare, personal care, or managing finances for vulnerable adults.

Certain roles qualify for an Enhanced DBS check, while others may also require an Adults’ Barred List check. For example, a care home receptionist might be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check but not for the barred list check since they don’t engage in Regulated Activity. Conversely, a care assistant providing personal care would need both an Enhanced DBS and an Adults’ Barred List check.

The Adult First Check is a fast screening check against the Adults’ Barred List and can only be requested if an Enhanced DBS check including the Adults’ Barred List is already in process. Results usually arrive within 72 hours and indicate whether the applicant is not on the list or if further investigation is necessary. A requirement for further checks does not automatically mean the person is barred.

The Adult First Check is often utilised in Health and Social Care DBS Checks to allow staff to start before the DBS certificate is returned.

There is no cost difference between an Enhanced DBS check with or without the Adults’ Barred List.

The Adult First Check is optional and incurs a small extra fee.

Currently, no similar rapid service exists for the Children’s Barred List.

Types of organisations that need DBS Checks for Healthcare Staff

There are a range of services that need DBS Checks for Healthcare or DBS Checks for Social Care staff.

These include, but are not limited to:

Care Homes provide residential accommodation and personal care for elderly or disabled people who cannot live independently. They often offer 24-hour support and assistance with daily living activities. Care Homes require DBS checks to ensure staff are trustworthy and capable of safeguarding residents, and as part of their safe recruitment obligations.

Domiciliary Care providers deliver personalised care and support to individuals in their own homes. This service helps people maintain independence while receiving assistance with tasks such as medication, personal hygiene, and meal preparation. DBS Checks for care staff should be undertaken to aid safe recruitment.

Hospice care focuses on providing compassionate support to patients with terminal illnesses and their families. It combines medical, emotional, and spiritual care to improve quality of life in a comforting environment. Hospice staff need DBS checks to ensure patient safety and as part of safe recruitment obligations.

Nursing and Care Staff agencies supply qualified and unqualified nursing staff to hospitals, care homes, and private clients on a temporary or permanent basis. They play a vital role in filling staffing gaps and maintaining quality care standards. DBS Checks for care staff, and DBS Checks for Nurses are required so the end clients can safely stay within their regulated obligations for safe recruitment.

Supported living services assist individuals with disabilities or mental health needs to live independently with tailored support. They provide help with daily tasks while encouraging autonomy and community participation. All staff in supported living require DBS Checks for care staff to safeguard residents’ wellbeing.

Doctors & Dentists perform regulated activity, and therefore need DBS Checks for Healthcare staff. In addition, individuals that work within certain locations, such as a surgeries, also require DBS Checks

Pharmacies require DBS Checks for Healthcare staff for their dispensing pharmacists and technicians.

Enhanced DBS Check for Care Staff

Any staff that take part in a regulated activity, will be eligible for and Enhanced DBS Check for Healthcare.

In addition to detailed criminal record information, an Enhanced DBS Check for healthcare workers can also include a check against the Children’s Barred List and/or the Adults’ Barred List when applicable. These lists contain the names of individuals who are legally barred from working with children or vulnerable adults due to safeguarding concerns. If a healthcare worker is found on either list, they are legally prohibited from undertaking roles involving these groups.

Checks against one or both barred lists are generally required for healthcare positions classified as regulated activity, such as nurses, care assistants, or support staff in hospitals and residential care settings.

In some settings, such as Care Homes, an ciliary staff such as receptionists, domestic staff etc, will also be elgibile for an Enhanced DBS Check (without Barred List check)

There is no extra charge for including barred list checks; however, they should only be carried out for individuals whose roles qualify under the relevant regulations.

Standard DBS Check for Care Staff

In some settings, a non-clinical individual such as a receptionist or domestic member of staff, are only eligible for the Standard DBS Check for Healthcare staff.

Examples of this are Doctor surgeries and hospitals.

How to get for DBS Checks for Care and Healthcare

CRBonline is a state-of-the-art AI-driven web platform designed to simplify how Health and Social Care organisations handle their DBS check processes online. It streamlines every step by providing intelligent support and automation from start to finish.

Getting Started

Once your organisation registers, you will receive secure login credentials. You can then add internal users, such as HR or safeguarding personnel, and assign them specific permissions to manage DBS Checks for your Healthcare and Social Care staff on your behalf.

Initiating a DBS Check for Healthcare

To start a DBS check for care, simply enter the applicant’s name and email into the system. The applicant will receive an email invitation to access their application form.

When the applicant clicks the link and creates their password, they are guided through the application with AI-powered validation that helps avoid common mistakes, like incorrect National Insurance numbers or missing address details.

ID Verification and Submission

After the applicant completes their section, you’ll be notified to carry out the ID verification. You confirm the ID documents seen, and the platform’s intelligent validation ensures all legal requirements are met, alerting you when the correct documentation is provided.

You’ll then be prompted to specify:

The DBS check level required (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced)
The job role
Whether Barred List checks are needed
If the role is voluntary
And whether the position is home-base

The AI system helps reduce errors by checking eligibility based on these inputs.

Payment Options

Once details are finalised, payment can be made through several methods:

Pay-as-you-go
Prepaid credit packages
Delegated billing, where the applicant receives and pays the invoice directly — ideal for organisations where care staff cover their own DBS check fees.

Submission and Results

After payment or credit application, the DBS check is immediately and securely submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Both your organisation and the applicant receive notifications, including a unique reference number and a direct link to track the check’s progress in real time.

When the process concludes:

The applicant receives the official paper DBS certificate by post.
Your organisation obtains an electronic summary of the results via the platform.

Throughout, the platform’s AI keeps everyone informed with timely updates, ensuring full transparency every step of the way.

Need to ask a question before registering…?

If you are already a customer, please login and use the regular support channels on the platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most popular questions we get about DBS Checks in Healthcare and Social Care

Who needs an Enhanced DBS Check for Care?

Anyone working in regulated activities involving vulnerable adults or children, such as care assistants or social workers, typically requires an Enhanced DBS Check.

How long does a DBS Check for Healthcare take?

Most Enhanced DBS Checks are completed within 10 working days.

Healthcare related Enhanced DBS Checks are sent to Local Police Forces. While they can sometimes be processed very quickly, even returned the same day, they generally take longer than Standard and Basic DBS Checks.

The fastest turnaround we have observed for an Enhanced DBS Check is 90 minutes.

Standard DBS Checks for Healthcare tend to be a little bit quicker. Most are back within 3-5 days

What is the Adults' Barred List?

The Adults’ Barred List is a confidential register maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service that identifies individuals who are legally barred from performing Regulated Activity involving vulnerable adults.

Regulated Activity includes specific duties such as delivering personal care or managing the finances of a vulnerable adult. Detailed information about what counts as Regulated Activity is available in the official guidance.

Individuals can be placed on the Adults’ Barred List even if they do not have a criminal record, as barring is a legal restriction separate from having convictions.

An Enhanced DBS check may include a check of the Adults’ Barred List depending on whether the role requires it. For instance, a cleaner in a care home is not engaged in Regulated Activity and thus would not need a barred list check, whereas a person providing personal care in the same environment would.

DBS Checks for Healthcare and Social Care staff will usually involve regulated activity, and therefore the Adults’ Barred list check must be included.

The cost is the same whether an Enhanced DBS check includes the Adults’ Barred List or not.

Do non-care staff in Care Homes need a DBS?

Non-care staff who do not have any roles that often require at least an Enhanced DBS check, but usually without Barred List checks.

If they occasionally do regulated activity, then the Barred List should be included

It is the responsibility of the employer to assess the specific duties of each role and determine the appropriate level of DBS check required for their Health and Social Care Staff

Do Hospital Staff require a DBS?

DBS Checks for Healthcare staff in hospitals that undertake regulated activity, will need Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List.

Non-clinical and staff not in a care role, but work on the premises and come into contact with Patients usually need a Standard DBS Check.

What is the DBS Update Service, and does it apply to DBS Checks for Healthcare?

The DBS Update Service is a subscription-based service offered by the Disclosure and Barring Service that helps individuals and employers keep DBS checks current and easily verify their status online. It essentially transforms a one-time Enhanced DBS certificate into a continuously updated record.

It can be used for any type of DBS Check, including DBS Checks for care staff, and DBS Checks for Healthcare Professionals.

After receiving an Enhanced DBS certificate, an individual can subscribe to the Update Service for £16 per year. This subscription must be activated within 30 days of the certificate’s issue date or during the DBS application process using the reference number provided.

Once enrolled, the same certificate can be used for multiple jobs, as long as each role requires the same level of check and belongs to the same workforce category, such as working with children or adults. The subscription requires annual renewal to remain active.

Employers, with the individual’s consent, can perform a free online check to verify if the Enhanced DBS certificate is still valid. The system will return messages like “This Certificate is up to date” if there are no new issues, or “Certificate needs to be renewed” or “Contact DBS” if there are changes that may require further review or a new DBS check.

To perform the check, employers need the certificate number, the individual’s name, and date of birth, along with their permission.

More information can be found here.

What is Regulated Activity relating to vulnerable adults?

Regulated Activity refers to certain types of work or roles involving vulnerable groups, where people have direct contact or responsibility for their care, supervision, or wellbeing.

Examples are:

Providing personal care, such as washing, dressing, feeding, or helping someone use the toilet.
Providing healthcare (e.g., nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy).
Providing social work services related to health or social care.
Assistance with cash, bills, or shopping on behalf of a vulnerable adult.
Conveying (transporting) a vulnerable adult to or from places where they receive healthcare, personal care, or social work.
Managing or supervising anyone engaged in these regulated activities.

Does a GP Receptionist require a DBS Check?

Yes. Like Hospital staff, non-clinical staff in a GP, dentist etc surgery, require a Standard DBS Check.

How long is a DBS Check in Health and Social Care valid for?

A DBS Check in Healthcare, or any other sector, does not have an official expiration date. It only reflects the individual’s criminal record status up to the date the certificate was issued.

This means the information on the DBS certificate is accurate only as of that date. Unlike a passport, it doesn’t expire after a fixed period, but it also won’t include any new offences or cautions that occur afterward. Because of this, employers should note the issue date and decide if a new check is needed based on how old the certificate is and the requirements of the role.

In the Healthcare, Social Care, and other care sectors, it’s considered best practice, and sometimes required by supply contracts, to update DBS checks regularly, often every three years.