The role of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) during the COVID 19 pandemic in the U.K. was to help employers make safer hiring decisions by checking if applicants were criminals who might not be suited for certain professions
As the COVID 19 pandemic took hold of the U.K., many employers were left with difficult decisions as to how to continue business operations without exposing themselves and their employees to infection risks. The DBS worked diligently with various stakeholders across industry sectors, including both trade unions and employer associations, in order create a fast and efficient solution for various sectors supporting the COVID 19 recovery effort.
The DBS has a statutory responsibility to keep the U.K.’s workforce safe by regulating those working with children and vulnerable adults, who may pose risks of harm to these groups. The DBS notes that this means they must “keep a record and disclose details about risks posed and where possible, enable us to prevent unsuitable people from working.
The DBS recognised that during COVID 19 they could not allow the speed of infection rates to dictate important decisions about an employer’s workforce and the safety of their customers. As such, they developed a program that expedited applications for employers supporting the recovery efforts.
They created a plan that was designed specifically to help employers when they were in need. The DBS recognised that this could essentially be a life or death situation and the role they played was crucial to protecting the public.
This collaborative effort allowed the DBS to effectively create a fast and efficient solution for various sectors supporting the COVID 19 recovery effort.
The DBS continued these efforts through the implementation of the “Expedited Services” program which allowed applicants to be quickly processed, allowing them to work sooner. This ultimately reduced exposure risks for employers and their employees.
This really shows how much everyone wanted to work together and contribute towards protecting others during COVID 19. The DBS played an integral role in helping employers make hiring decisions quickly and efficiently, enabling applicants to work sooner, and join the fight against the pandemic.
As COVID 19 became a serious threat to the U.K., many employers were left with difficult decisions as to how to continue business operations without exposing themselves and their employees to infection risks. The role of the DBS was crucial during this time.
The DBS worked with various stakeholders across industry sectors, including both trade unions and employer associations, in order to create a fast and efficient solution for various sectors supporting the COVID 19 recovery effort.
The DBS made sure that all applications were handled promptly without compromising safety or security throughout the response period following COVID 19.
The DBS was there for both employer and applicants, fulfilling their duty to ensure that sensitive information was not compromised and that the hiring process of employers across all sectors did not slow down.
New hiring restrictions were put in place for applicants during COVID 19, and these took the time to be fully established. The DBS worked tirelessly throughout this period in order to respond promptly and efficiently. They provided briefings and guidance for all employers, and made sure that everything was done in a quick manner without compromising safety or security.
They also made sure that the hiring process did not slow down in any way.
The DBS worked with a range of stakeholders in industry sectors, including both trade unions and employer associations, in order to create a fast and efficient solution for various sectors supporting the COVID 19 recovery effort.
The disclosure scheme was updated accordingly to meet these requirements, resulting in a faster and more efficient service.
These new changes to the scheme were communicated to all applicants in advance, which resulted in a smoother process during COVID 19.
The Government’s aim was that the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) will be able to provide an improved system for vetting individuals’ suitability for working with children and adults who may be vulnerable to harm. This will help employers make safer hiring decisions quickly and efficiently, enabling their new recruits to start work sooner and join the fight against COVID 19.
The Government is also considering whether to extend the use of DBS checks in other areas, such as vetting people working with animals and vulnerable adults outside the health sector.
Conclusion
The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) worked with various stakeholders across industry sectors, including both trade unions and employer associations, in order to create a fast and efficient solution for various sectors supporting the COVID 19 recovery effort.
New hiring restrictions were put in place for applicants during COVID 19, and these took the time to be fully established. The DBS worked tirelessly throughout this period in order to respond promptly and efficiently. They provided briefings and guidance for all employers, and made sure that everything was done in a quick manner without compromising safety or security.
The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is the United Kingdom’s statutory vetting body. Operating under the Home Office, it was established in 2012.
It has a responsibility to keep people safe by preventing unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups. It does this through the Disclosure process which is the consideration of an applicant’s criminal record .
Employers all across the U.K. are legally entitled to ask for information about potential employees during the recruitment process, and The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) makes it easy for them to get the information they need.
Their information is often used by employers to help make decisions about whom they should employ and determinations of an applicant’s fitness for a post.