The Disclosure and Barring Service hit the headlines again recently, and not in a good way. After issued with delays in checking and a very overdue IT system, the DBS had to halt submission of documents online. The issue came to light in parliament, after Diane Abbott questioned the minister responsible. So what’s going on?…
Category: News and Advice
Do’s and Don’ts of Document Verification
Getting extra responsibility at work is generally regarded as a good thing. And with more responsibility comes more money, right? If however you’ve been asked to take on a document verification role in your organisation, there’s a lot to keep in mind. The sorts of documents you’ll be looking at are many and varied. There…
Laws Around Random Alcohol and Drug Tests
It’s becoming increasingly common for companies to have random alcohol and drug tests policies in the workplace. There are lots of reasons why they might choose to do this. If you’re running a fleet of HGV lorries, you want to ensure your drivers are sober. Other organisations which use heavy machinery or have people…
Everything you Need to Know about Landlord Licencing
The number of British people living in private rented accommodation is rising all of the time. Most landlords take their responsibilities seriously. Everyone’s heard the horror stories of rogue landlords who never do repairs and have their tenants living in slum conditions. Several counties around the UK are taking steps to stamp out the rogue…
Unlawful DBS Checks
We know that getting a job can be a nightmare. Applicants have to jump through so many hoops to keep employers happy and it’s often easier just to agree to whatever they ask. That’s fine when they’re asking for three copies of your passport or your GCSE certificates. However, there’s a growing trend of employers…
Lack of Identity Documents for DBS Checks
It all sounds really straightforward, doesn’t it? Apply for your disclosure checks online, then send in some identification to prove who you are. It’s not always easy though, especially for people who haven’t been in the UK long, or who are young adults. If you’re struggling to find identity documents for DBS checks, we’re here…
Checks on Taxi Drivers Doing Their Job in Leeds
A recent Freedom of Information Request has flagged up the importance of running checks on taxi drivers. Between April 2013 and March 2018, Leeds City Council processed over 10,000 checks for people wanting to work as taxi drivers. Almost 16% flagged up past criminal convictions. Checks on Taxi Drivers for Passenger Safety Driving a taxi…
Renewing a Disclosure Check
If you’re in a job which requires a disclosure check, then you’ll know that getting one can take a few weeks at least. You have to complete the form, show your identity documents, then wait for the certificate to arrive. One thing which most people don’t notice about a DBS certificate is that it doesn’t…
Who Pays for my Police Check?
Applying for new jobs can be an expensive business. Many employers won’t offer to pay your travel expenses, you might have to take time off work or buy a new outfit. If you’re applying for roles which need a police check, then this can seem like just another expense. The picture about who actually pays…
Improvement in DBS Check Turnaround Times
It’s no secret that there have been some serious issues in getting a DBS check done in some parts of the UK. We’ve all seen the stories about people unable to start work because their checks are taking so long. The government figures tell their own story. They also show sharp contrasts between different areas…