Enhanced DBS Check For Care Home Job

Conan1Sett

Hello,

I recently passed an interview for a care home job and I have submitted all of the relevant ID and details. They said it's now pending a DBS Check.

I presume it's an Enhanced DBS Check because the work involves caring for vulnerable adults. The application was submitted late Thursday afternoon 5th December. The check is being submitted by the care home themselves, not myself personally.

How long actually is the turnaround time for getting the all clear to start work? I've read different things on Google and I've heard different things via word of mouth. Anywhere from 1-2 days to 14 days to 6-8 weeks!

I'm currently unemployed with bills to pay and so 6-8 weeks is scaring me.

Also, I was arrested several years ago. I cannot remember exactly when but it might have been over 6 years ago? If it was over 6 years ago, would these arrests be filtered out? The reason I am concerned is because the arrest(s) were on the back of a domestic situation against my parents that are elderly. I don't know if this would exclude me because I don't know how the system would classify this crime given that I am related to the elderly people that the incident was about. 

All in all, though, my main concern is how quickly I would be given the go-ahead to start work. 

YBR

If there is a relevant item on your record, I'd advise you to mention it to the employer in advance. Much better than if they find out through DBS exclosure. You can then discuss confidentially why it wouldn't exclude you from being in the role.

I hope someone will come on and tell you the timescales. It was 2-3 weeks when I last did mine, but that was some time ago.

gwynlas

An arrest will not be an issue but any subsequent conviction might depending on the outcome.

You should probably inform them in advance of them finding out.

Given check might not come back for 6-8 weeks, they might agree to you working undeer supervision if short  staffed.

If not be prepared for pay to be at least  four weeks from start date

Time2count

I find it depends on the local police station. Faster turnaround I've had is less than 24hrs, longest was around 10 weeks. And they were all clear. Not sure how long it will take if the record isn't clear.

GrumpyDil

My son has been waiting around 5 weeks since his enhanced DBS check was submitted. It's a part time cleaning job in a school and he had banked on getting his first pay before Xmas but the way it's going he might be lucky to get it before January. 

OutdoorQueen

I think it’s a bit pot luck really.   Some of the DBS checks I submit are returned in 2 days others can take several weeks.  

If you have lived in your current house for 5+ years, you will be working and live in the same police area and had no name changes, you MIGHT get an answer quite quickly.   But it could also depend on how many other requests are in the system and staff capacity and, most of us don’t seem to get post daily anymore.   

A house move or 2  in the previous 5 years, and working and living in different areas seem to lengthen the time it takes to get an answer as there is more to check.

Conan1Sett

OutdoorQueen said:

I think it’s a bit pot luck really.   Some of the DBS checks I submit are returned in 2 days others can take several weeks.  

If you have lived in your current house for 5+ years, you will be working and live in the same police area and had no name changes, you MIGHT get an answer quite quickly.   But it could also depend on how many other requests are in the system and staff capacity and, most of us don’t seem to get post daily anymore.   

A house move or 2  in the previous 5 years, and working and living in different areas seem to lengthen the time it takes to get an answer as there is more to check.

Those that returned within 2 days, were they specifically Enhanced DBS or just Basic DBS checks? I hear tell this can make a difference to timescales? 

Undervalued

Conan1Sett said:

OutdoorQueen said:

I think it’s a bit pot luck really.   Some of the DBS checks I submit are returned in 2 days others can take several weeks.  

If you have lived in your current house for 5+ years, you will be working and live in the same police area and had no name changes, you MIGHT get an answer quite quickly.   But it could also depend on how many other requests are in the system and staff capacity and, most of us don’t seem to get post daily anymore.   

A house move or 2  in the previous 5 years, and working and living in different areas seem to lengthen the time it takes to get an answer as there is more to check.

Those that returned within 2 days, were they specifically Enhanced DBS or just Basic DBS checks? I hear tell this can make a difference to timescales? 

Almost certainly basic.

There is little if anything you can do to hurry this along. Employers that require enhanced checks will be used to this but I appreciate that doesn't help you in the short term. 

As others have said, you must tell the employer about the arrest that will most likely show up. Hopefully it won't be a problem, particularly if you mention it. If however it is a problem then the sooner you know the better.

Conan1Sett

Ok I've told them about my arrest years ago.

They said that I will receive my certificate in the post, although not sure when. I pray it's not too long. It's stuck at the police national computer search for now.

They said they'll make a judgement when I bring in my certificate. I shouldn't think a few arrests years ago should stop me? 

OutdoorQueen

Conan1Sett said:

OutdoorQueen said:

I think it’s a bit pot luck really.   Some of the DBS checks I submit are returned in 2 days others can take several weeks.  

If you have lived in your current house for 5+ years, you will be working and live in the same police area and had no name changes, you MIGHT get an answer quite quickly.   But it could also depend on how many other requests are in the system and staff capacity and, most of us don’t seem to get post daily anymore.   

A house move or 2  in the previous 5 years, and working and living in different areas seem to lengthen the time it takes to get an answer as there is more to check.

Those that returned within 2 days, were they specifically Enhanced DBS or just Basic DBS checks? I hear tell this can make a difference to timescales? 

Enhanced….as a verifier I receive details that the check has been completed in a couple of days for about 20%, about 70% take about 8 days, and the rest longer. The certificate then takes a few more details to reach the person.   

I think they are also a bit quicker if another DBS has been done in the past few months.   

Conan1Sett

OutdoorQueen said:

Conan1Sett said:

OutdoorQueen said:

I think it’s a bit pot luck really.   Some of the DBS checks I submit are returned in 2 days others can take several weeks.  

If you have lived in your current house for 5+ years, you will be working and live in the same police area and had no name changes, you MIGHT get an answer quite quickly.   But it could also depend on how many other requests are in the system and staff capacity and, most of us don’t seem to get post daily anymore.   

A house move or 2  in the previous 5 years, and working and living in different areas seem to lengthen the time it takes to get an answer as there is more to check.

Those that returned within 2 days, were they specifically Enhanced DBS or just Basic DBS checks? I hear tell this can make a difference to timescales? 

Enhanced….as a verifier I receive details that the check has been completed in a couple of days for about 20%, about 70% take about 8 days, and the rest longer. The certificate then takes a few more details to reach the person.   

I think they are also a bit quicker if another DBS has been done in the past few months.   

You mean if a DBS has been applied for by the same company or on the same person?