DBS Checks Explained
When you apply for your SIA licence a basic DBS check is carried out to make sure you are what the SIA refer to as a “fit and proper person” this is carried out in order to make sure you are suitable to work in the private securty industry.
CRB v's DBS, What's the difference
What Is A CRB Check.....
A CRB check was a criminal history check using the Police National Computer (PNC). It was carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau from 2002 until the introduction of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in 2012.
You may find a ‘CRB Check’ around today because there are many people who will have a CRB certificate to their name, however, a CRB Check can no longer be obtained in the old format and old CRB Checks are not valid as a form of a background check.
What is a DBS check ........
A DBS check is a way for employers check your criminal record, to help decide whether you are a suitable person to work for them. This includes deciding whether it is suitable for you to work with children or vulnerable adults.
DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service. This is the public body that carries out DBS checks. They used to be carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). So you may still see or hear them called 'CRB checks'. A
So what's the difference then.......There really is no difference between the CRB and DBS. The only difference is the ISA and CRB merged to create the DBS, Disclosurend Barring Service.
Types of DBS check
You can request:
a basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions
a standard check, which shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions
an enhanced check, which shows the same as a standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role
an enhanced check with barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role
When to repeat a check
A DBS check has no official expiry date. Any information included will be accurate at the time the check was carried out so It’s up to you to decide when a new check is needed.
If the applicant has signed up for the DBS update service you can check whether their certificate is up to date online.
Getting an SIA Licence with a criminal record.
The SIA are clear that they don’t just consider people with a squeaky-clean criminal record for SIA licensing. There is a full and very detailed guide on how people with criminal records can get a SIA licence in the “Get Licensed” handbook, which is available on their website.
When making an application for a SIA licence, applicants will be expected to disclose all previous convictions, cautions or warnings, even if these offences are considered spent under any other circumstances.
The SIA bases its decision on a range of factors including how serious the offences are, how long ago your offences took place and the sentence or fine you were given for the crime. This is all very complicated, so look at the Criminal Record Indicator tool on the SIA website. Enter the details of your offences, and the site will tell you whether or not you stand a good chance of being awarded a licence.
What if my circumstances are borderline
For people whose case is borderline, that doesn’t automatically mean a refusal either. The SIA call this Consideration of Additional Factors, or CAF. The SIA will write to you, asking you to submit mitigation to support your case and convince them that you are a suitable person to hold a SIA licence.
Mitigation can take a range of forms.
Many applicants will submit character references from employers or other people of good standing in the community, or evidence of rehabilitation and lack of other offending after the initial offence. Character referees should state how long they have known you, that they know about the offence, and are still of the opinion that you are of good character. Evidence of rehabilitation could be details of voluntary of community projects which you have been involved in or training you have undertaken.
The SIA aren’t interested in the offence or the events leading up to it; they are looking for applicants to demonstrate that they have made a positive change and taken steps to change their lives so that they are unlikely to offend again.
Have you recently applied and been turned down for a licence or applied for one with a criminal record if so drop your comments in the box below and tell us how you got on.
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