Disclosure and Barring Service | Provider Hub

Essex eDBS Service

ECC operates an online disclosure and barring service which can be accessed here: https://dbschecks.essex.gov.uk/

DBS Information

For the latest information and guidance please refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service website

Below are some FAQs in relation to DBS checks.

A DBS certificate only contains information from a DBS check on a certain date and for a particular purpose.

Employers can accept a previously issued certificate but must:

check the applicant's identity matches the details on the certificate
check the certificate is of the right level and type for the role applied for
carry out a free-of-charge status check to see if new information has come to light since the certificate's issue; the applicant must have already joined the DBS update service

Employers can accept a previously issued certificate without a status check but at their own risk.

If the applicant's identity has not been validated by the 3-route process, the countersignatory should mark the 'no' box at question w59 on the application form and return the form to the DBS. You may be asked to review this decision by the DBS before the application can proceed, which may delay the overall process.

Applicants who cannot provide the necessary documents will be asked to go for fingerprinting at their local police station. This is likely to cause delay to the overall application process.

Ultimately it is for the employer to determine whether to accept previously-issued CRB/DBS checks. You should consider the following before making a decision:

the applicant's criminal record or other relevant information may have changed since its issue.
the decision made by a Chief Police Officer to disclose information on a CRB/DBS certificate was made based on the position for which the criminal record check was originally applied for; you cannot assume that no other intelligence would be disclosed for a different position
the information revealed was based on the identity of the applicant, which was validated by another registered body, at the time that the original check was requested; you should ensure that the identity details on the certificate match those of the applicant

An employer or volunteer manager is breaking the law if they knowingly employ someone in a regulated activity with a group from which they are barred from working.

A barred person is breaking the law if they seek, offer or engage in regulated activity with a group from which they are barred from working, be it paid or voluntary.

Can DBS checks be used for more than one job application? (this is sometimes referred to as portability)

Depending on their role and activities, new entrants to the workforce in services regulated by CQC are expected to obtain a new DBS check where eligible.

People taking up a new position who are currently working in services regulated by CQC can satisfy the expectation that they will have an appropriate DBS check if they can provide evidence of a check, at the right level for their role, that is less than three months old at the point of application.

Last updated: 14/10/2024

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