DBS checks

The SVGA strengthens current safeguarding arrangements for individuals in the workplace. Its purpose is to reduce the risk of individuals suffering harm at the hands of those employed (in either a paid or voluntary capacity) to work with them.

The SVGA requires persons whose names are on a ‘barred’ list, not to apply for posts which would involve working with children or vulnerable adults as appropriate – if they do, they commit an offence. An employer who knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups would also break the law.  Employers who dismiss workers because they have caused harm to children or vulnerable adults, are obliged to submit a report to the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

From July 2010 those who work with children or vulnerable adults were to be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), and before employing a person to work with children or vulnerable adults, an employer would be required to seek from prospective employees evidence of registration (e.g. to quote their registration number that the employer could check on-line).  If a person is not registered, they could not be employed.  The process of registering is expected to take several years.

In June 2010, the government launched a review of the vetting and barring legislation, and put on hold all requirements that had not started – such as the registration requirement.

Following a review, changes to the Disclosure and Barring Service were made, and these came into effect in June 2013 (see below).

Government reforms being introduced to Criminal Records Bureau checks, which are now known as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, mean that from June 2013 pharmacists and others had the option to have a portable DBS check.

This major change enables pharmacists and others to have an up to date record of any changes that have occurred since their most recent DBS check. The record, which currently costs £13 annually and will be maintained by the DBS, enables current and future employers to carry out (with the person’s permission) an instant on-line check of the person’s current status.

Pharmacy contractors looking to take on a new employee, or to carry out a subsequent review of an individual, will be able to use a copy of that person’s original DBS check together with the on-line record of updates maintained by the DBS to carry out an instant, free of charge check on any pharmacist or other person on whom checks are appropriate.

For the people owning the records, this will mean that they can transfer to a new employer without the need to have a new DBS check carried out, or if commissioners require periodic re-checks, this can also be of benefit (although for pharmacists working on one site, for one employer, a new full DBS check every few years may be more cost effective).

This refinement to the DBS checks may be of some benefit to pharmacists, (particularly locums), and to pharmacy contractors, as pharmacists, once checked, will be able to provide their DBS status to new employers or to be subject to a periodic review almost instantly. This could be particularly welcome as new commissioners within the NHS and local authorities are now often asking for CRB checks as a pre-condition before commissioning services.

However, there will be a cost for pharmacists wanting the records as they will need to pay the annual fee of £13. As stated above, there is no requirement in the terms of service for checks to be carried out, but there has been increasing demand for such checks by commissioners before a locally commissioned service is commissioned. The costs where DBS checks are required as a pre-condition should wherever possible, be factored into the funding for such services.

Further information can be obtained from the government’s website where there is guidance for employees and employers.