YOUTH WORK FOCUS

DBS checks in a time of crisis

As many churches and organisations find themselves working in very different ways, especially in responding to the need for greater levels of pastoral care within the community, this poses many questions around the safe recruitment of workers and volunteers and especially of processing relevant background checks. At thirtyone:eight we’ve been continuing to monitor the situation with regard to the impact of COVID-19 and in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) we’ve been reviewing our guidance and processes to keep our members updated with the latest changes to any operating procedures and advice. Dr Gillian Fairfield, Chairman at the Government’s Disclosure and Barring Service recently said: “We understand the vital role that DBS has to play in the country’s response to the pandemic. We have been working closely with the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care in order to introduce measures that allow us to respond”. For churches, and other organisations, the pandemic has created a shift in focus with many groups looking at practical ways to support those within their community in particular getting shopping or other necessities on behalf of vulnerable people. To support organisations who are responding the DBS have put some temporary measures in place which churches can take advantage of which include changes to the checking of ID documents.

“WE UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE THAT DBS HAS TO PLAY IN THE COUNTRY’S RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HOME OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE MEASURES THAT ALLOW US TO RESPOND. ”

Checking ID documents

As the public are being advised to work from home where possible, this is causing difficulties in receiving the physical documents and is delaying applications, and in some cases, preventing applications from being submitted. To ensure that the necessary checks can still be carried out, the DBS Basic, Standard and Enhanced ID checking guidance has been changed for a temporary period and now includes:

• ID documents to be viewed over video link OR • Scanned images to be used in advance of the

DBS check being submitted

The applicant will be required to present the original versions of these documents when they first attend their employment or volunteering role. These current times could therefore be a good time for you to process any DBS checks for your workers without causing delay. This especially includes the renewal of checks for your existing workers as it is a task made easier by being able to check ID remotely.

Pastoral workers

We’ve been receiving lots of calls about the eligibility of pastoral workers and volunteers with regard to receiving DBS checks. If workers are offering to get shopping for those who need help because of age, illness or disability and therefore taking money from them, then the role will be eligible for an Enhanced check with a check of the barred lists (i.e. Regulated Activity). In the same way, if your organisation was supporting an adult before self-isolation because of their vulnerability (i.e. age, illness, disability etc.) then this would qualify them for a DBS if that same level of support continues albeit in a slightly different format. If a person is receiving support because of self-isolation then they are not, as defined by the DBS, an adult at risk or an adult with care and support needs (Care Act 2014) and eligibility would therefore be unlikely.

Supporting you through

Our Disclosure team are working at home to continue to provide support to our members. Although our offices are closed, instead of posting documents, we can accept them as scanned files emailed to disclosure@thirtyoneeight.org Our Disclosure helpline remains open to answer any questions you may have. Call us on 0303 003 1111 option 1. If your organisation is part of wider group/denomination you should check with those responsible for recruitment for the whole of the organisation before following any revised guidance.

“AS ACTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR OWN CHURCHES, OUR TEAM KNOW JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT ORGANISATIONS CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO PROCESS CHECKS SO THAT WORKERS CAN PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CARE AND SUPPORT IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY ”

We’ve also recently launched a new series of training webinars including a webinar on Online DBS Checks and Eligibility which has been really popular with members. This could be a good opportunity to refresh your learning or to discover something new. Barbara Ball, our Head of Advisory Services says “As active members of our own churches, our team know just how important it is that organisations continue to be able to process checks so that workers can provide the necessary care and support in a way that protects the most vulnerable in our society. Our team has been working hard to adapt our processes to the new temporary guidance issued by the DBS so that there aren’t any barriers to getting checks done. With the ability to email scanned documents you can continue to process checks as you always have done before, but do get in contact if you have any questions or queries and we’ll be happy to help”. Do visit our website for the latest information and updates to process and procedures thirtyoneeight.org/dbs-service.