Did you know?

A DBS check helps Early Years employers make safer recruitment decisions, helping them ensure that they prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children. When you apply to work with children your prospective setting will always carry out a DBS check on you.

For Early Years roles, the DBS has three key functions:

• To see if someone has a criminal record or if there is any evidence to suggest they shouldn’t work with children.
• To keep a record of anyone judged unsuitable to work with children.
• To take referrals from Early Years settings who are concerned that someone who has not been assessed as such, is a risk and is unsuitable for working with children.

You can easily apply for a DBS check online:

1. Have a debit or credit card, as well as your home addresses for the past 5 years, handy.
2. Click here to apply online.
3. Download and fill out section A of Ofsted’s identity checking form.
4. Find a professional (such as a nurse, accountant or teacher). They must be a UK resident and someone you have known for at least a year. They cannot be a relative or someone you live with.
5. Show your ID documents to the professional (this can be your passport, driving licence, utility bills or bank statement) so they can fill in and sign section B of Ofsted’s identity checking form.
6. Scan and email the completed form to capitadbs@capita.co.uk or post it to the address on the form.

Once applied for, you should receive your DBS certificate within six weeks. However, it can take a lot longer for various reasons, such as if you’ve changed addresses a lot.

Here at TNL we’re committed to providing the most useful content to Early Years practitioners. Feel free to get in touch on our socials if you found this article useful!