Enhanced DBS check for Sole trader as a Carer

stevec59

Hi All,
I'm looking to start my own business as a Carer looking after the elder, I'll work directly for Elderly clients, not via a company or agency. I've been trying to get an Enhanced DBS check, you can't apply for your yourself, I've contacted the DBS on Several occasions, firstly they said go Via an Umbrella company, type Umbrella into the search bar and hey presto a list of companies, you can choose Sectors, Location etc, I contacted 6 of them, they all said that they wouldn't do it unless I worked for them, another call to the DBS, they said try and employment agency, well there aren't as many on the high street these days, but I tried and again they won't do it unless they get work for you, the DBS also said that there 400 companies on there Umbrella company list, don't say I have to call all of them?

Surely other people have had the same problem, how did they get around this.
I'll probably ask for a Police check, but still really want Enhanced DBS.

Please Help,

Many Thanks

Steve

Comms69

I don’t understand why...

jonnygee2

The Enhanced DBS check is there to help organisations decide if you are suitable to work with vulnerable people. It's only one part of the checks they need to do (references, CV checking etc).

You can't make these decisions about yourself. So you can't get an enhanced check. You also can't complete the ID and address check that's necessary to validate the enhanced DBS.

To me, it sounds like you will be doing regulated activity and therefore will need to register with the care quality commission (if in England?) and apply for a DBS check through them.

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/registration/regulated-activities#personal-care

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/registration/apply-cqc-countersigned-disclosure-barring-service-dbs-check

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/registration/apply-new-provider

sitesafe

stevec59 wrote: »

Hi All,
I'm looking to start my own business as a Carer looking after the elder, I'll work directly for Elderly clients, not via a company or agency. I've been trying to get an Enhanced DBS check, you can't apply for your yourself, I've contacted the DBS on Several occasions, firstly they said go Via an Umbrella company, type Umbrella into the search bar and hey presto a list of companies, you can choose Sectors, Location etc, I contacted 6 of them, they all said that they wouldn't do it unless I worked for them, another call to the DBS, they said try and employment agency, well there aren't as many on the high street these days, but I tried and again they won't do it unless they get work for you, the DBS also said that there 400 companies on there Umbrella company list, don't say I have to call all of them?

Surely other people have had the same problem, how did they get around this.
I'll probably ask for a Police check, but still really want Enhanced DBS.

Please Help,

Many Thanks

Steve

Yes same problem - I have stayed registered with a care agency I once worked for in order that I can get my enhanced through naming them. Then register for the annual update service (£13 a year) so you're checkable online and don't have to reapply for a new dbs every 3 years.

ACG

Third link on google when you type in enhanced DBS check
https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/dbs-crb-checks/enhanced-dbs-check/

stevec59

jonnygee2 wrote: »

The Enhanced DBS check is there to help organisations decide if you are suitable to work with vulnerable people. It's only one part of the checks they need to do (references, CV checking etc).

You can't make these decisions about yourself. So you can't get an enhanced check. You also can't complete the ID and address check that's necessary to validate the enhanced DBS.

To me, it sounds like you will be doing regulated activity and therefore will need to register with the care quality commission (if in England?) and apply for a DBS check through them.

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/registration/regulated-activities#personal-care

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/registration/apply-cqc-countersigned-disclosure-barring-service-dbs-check

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/registration/apply-new-provider

Thanks jonnygee2, I've contacted the CQC, as I will be working purely on my own, not employing anyone else, not providing cover when I'm on holiday they don't want me to register with them

waamo

Is this what you are looking for? https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/about-us/umbrella-body/

That took less than a minute to find.

General_Grant

stevec59 wrote: »

. . . they said try and employment agency, well there aren't as many on the high street these days, but I tried and again they won't do it unless they get work for you, . .

But they would have to get a DBS before placing you. Why not offer to work for them, pay for and get the DBS, register for the update service, and move on.

stevec59

waamo wrote: »

Is this what you are looking for? https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/about-us/umbrella-body/

That took less than a minute to find.

Looked very promising, I had to phone them to find out and they said that they couldn't provide one for a sole trader.

waamo

What's to stop you forming your own Ltd company and employing yourself? You can then apply to check the companies sole employee.

Comms69

I still don't see the benefit of this in practical terms.