Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will take steps to (a) increase the speed of DBS checks and (b) provide applicants with updates on the progress on their application for people who have previously completed those checks within the social care sector.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) operates to published service standards of completing 80% of Basic checks within 2 days, 80% of Standard checks within 14 days, and 80% of Enhanced checks within 14 days.

DBS’ year-to-date performance up to 31 October 2022 has been positive, providing 88% of Basic checks within 2 days, 95.2% of Standard checks within 14 days, and 79.5% of Enhanced checks within 14 days. These attainments apply to applications across all employment sectors, including the care sector. Furthermore, DBS is working closely with police forces to improve turnaround times for Enhanced checks.

In addition, DBS provides an Update Service which allows:

• individuals to subscribe so they can keep their standard or enhanced certificates up-to-date; and
• employers to check that person’s certificate online.

This service may reduce the need to apply for multiple certificates when individuals move from one job to another in the same workforce, or when a re-check is required, as employers can carry out a quick online status check to see if an individual’s certificate is still up-to-date. This service may be of significant benefit for individuals that work within the social care sector.

DBS also provides an ‘adult first check’ service to employing organisations in the care sector. Employers can request the result of a check of DBS’ list of barred adults, ahead of the completion of an Enhanced application. Depending on the result, a person can be permitted to start work with vulnerable adults, under supervision, before the result of an Enhanced DBS check.

Although DBS does not provide automatic progress updates during the processing of applications. However, it is possible for relevant parties to check on the progress of applications through DBS’ online tracking services.