3 Reasons Why You Need a CRB Check

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A DBS check, once referred to as a CRB check, is a criminal record check many employers embark on during a recruitment process in the UK. The Disclosure and Barring Service will provide information to ensure you receive a reliable check, which will enable businesses to make safe recruitment and licensing decisions for their organization.

If you are unsure whether you need to review a candidate’s criminal background, here are three reasons why you require a CRB/DBS check.

You May Have a Legal Obligation

While not all careers will require employees to undergo a DBS check, it can be a legal requirement for various occupations. For example, if you are hiring employees or volunteers who will work with children and/or vulnerable individuals, you will be legally obliged to carry out a criminal background check on a candidate.

Common organizations that will require DBS checks for employees and volunteers can include, but are not limited to:

  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Children’s homes

It doesn’t matter if a candidate is applying for a teaching position or a job as a childminder or teaching assistant, you must perform a criminal background check to ensure you hire the right applicant for the vacancy. It might be wise to conduct either standard or enhanced checks on all employees and volunteers within your organization.

It is, however, important to note that the offence must be relevant to the role a person is applying for. If it isn’t, a candidate should have the same chance of securing a role as a person without a criminal record.

Confirm a Candidate’s Identity

It is imperative to hire the right candidate for a role, which will ensure they possess the knowledge, skills and experience to excel in a business. For example, you’ll want to ensure a doctor, surgeon or lawyer possesses the appropriate qualifications and experience for the advertised position.

A CRB check from uCheck could ultimately confirm a prospective candidate’s identity, right to work, credit history and any criminal records. As a result, you can avoid hiring the wrong person for the role, which could impact your organization and the wellbeing of others.

You Haven’t Performed a Check in Many Years

It is important to note that a DBS check will not serve as a license or a permanent document. It will only provide information based on a person’s criminal record and history to the point when it was requested by a business.

For this reason, it is a smart decision to routinely perform DBS checks on your existing members of staff, as well as new recruits, as an employee’s circumstances could change throughout the years.

For example, they could get a criminal record or lose a license while working for your organization, which might impact the safety of others and the company’s future.

How often you choose to update a DBS check on your employees is at your company’s discretion. While some organizations might choose to do so every year, others might prefer to conduct a check every three years. The choice is yours.

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Melissa Thompson

Melissa is a mother of 2, lives in Utah, and writes for a multitude of sites. She is currently the EIC of HarcourtHealth.com and writes about health, wellness, and business topics.