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DBS checks are a legal requirement for those working in care & healthcare roles, as stipulated by the CQC. If an organisation employs staff in these roles without getting them a CQC DBS check, the employer will face serious consequences, including fines and even forced closure. Definitely something you want to get right!
This page provides CQC DBS guidance on what’s necessary, who needs it, and how to get it.
Who are the CQC?
The Care Quality Commission is the official regulator of healthcare & adult social care in England. They oversee care providers and maintain standards by taking action against organisations that don’t meet their standards.
Why Does The CQC Require DBS Checks?
Staff working in organisations regulated by the CQC almost always require DBS checking – this is a type of background check used in England and Wales which lets employers know the criminal records of their employees or potential hires. Sometimes, if a person has committed particular offences, they will be legally ‘barred’ from working with Children, Vulnerable Adults*, or both groups.
Depending on the role, CQC DBS checks tend to be ‘Enhanced’, and will disclose whether the applicant is barred from If someone is barred from working with a group, it’s illegal to employ them for work with that group, and it’s illegal for the barred individual to even apply for the role. This is to protect vulnerable groups from those whose actions demonstrate that they cannot be trusted.
*A quick definition of Vulnerable Adult: Any over-18 in receipt of care or healthcare due to age, illness, or disability. There’s a bit more to it, which you can read here.
How to get a CQC DBS check
There are a couple of ways to get a CQC DBS check, and which route you take depends on your personal situation.
I need CQC DBS checks for my staff
If you’re responsible for onboarding new staff at your organisation, you’ve got a lot of options when it comes to getting their DBS checks. There’s no need for a specific CQC DBS check in this situation, you’re free to use any DBS provider on the market – Aaron’s Department, whose website you’re on, would be a good place to start!
For more information on getting CQC Enhanced DBS checks with Aaron’s Department, visit our Enhanced DBS Checks Page. We’ve also included some highlights and features about what we offer in the ‘About Us’ section further down the page.
I need a CQC DBS check to be a Registered Person
Applications to become the Registered Person for an organisation require a DBS certificate from within the last 12 months. However, it’s not permitted to make a CQC DBS check application for yourself – this must be done on your behalf by an organisation (this measure applies to all sectors, and is used to prevent fraud).
In these cases, the CQC will allow applicants to use the CQC’s portal to apply for themselves. This is known as a CQC-CE-DBS check, or a CQC Countersigned DBS check, and involves a couple of extra identity checks.
I need a CQC DBS check for my work
If you need a DBS check for yourself so you can work in a Care Home, hospital, etc, then the organisation you will be working for should set up your CQC DBS check application for you, as you won’t be able to apply for one yourself.
A Bit About Us:
If you’ve finished our article on CQC DBS checks and are thinking you need to find an Umbrella Body to get your DBS checks with, then that’s what we do! We’ll quickly go over some of the benefits of getting your DBS checks with Aaron’s Department:
Our 3-step, registration process is fast and free – you could have your DBS results within hours of signing up.
Low-cost DBS check admin fees, starting at £5.45 for a Basic DBS.
Our error-proof system identifies mistakes in real-time, giving users the chance to fix them – incorrect details can lead to the DBS rejecting applications, so we’ve designed a system to avoid that happening!
Knowledgeable & experienced customer support, along with expert eligibility guidance.
Free DBS fast-track: every check we receive before 4pm on a weekday is checked, countersigned, and sent on to the DBS the very same day. The faster we do that, the faster you get your check back.
Built-in tracking system for easy monitoring of applications’ progress.
Like we say, if you’re interested, or just need some DBS guidance, simply give us a call on 0113 877 0171, or drop us an email at contact@aaronsdepartment.com, and we’ll do our best to help you with any questions you may have.
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Further Reading
If you’ve found our CQC DBS Checks guidance page useful, you might find these handy too:
– Our fast-track promise
– The DBS Update Service
– Adult First DBS Checks