One of the first things legal professionals learn is that client information must be protected. This isn’t a suggestion, it’s the law.
An effective way of ensuring clerks and law assistants are reliable and trustworthy is by performing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
So, what is a DBS check and how can it help law professionals? We’ll take a look at this and more in this comprehensive guide to DBS checks, along with how they can help protect your clients’ information.
What is a DBS Check
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is a tool every legal professional should embrace. The essential tool helps ensure legal contractors and staff members are trustworthy and reliable.
The DBS check serves a vital purpose. The check helps determine if someone is currently employed or is submitting an application to the law firm and has any criminal convictions on their record. The check includes both previous and pending convictions. The DBS check basically assesses if the individual poses a risk to anyone working in the legal profession. The last thing any law firm wants is to hire an individual who can’t be trusted with a client’s information.
When Do You Need to Perform a DBS Check?
A DBS check isn’t free and it can be time-consuming. Most law practices don’t have the time to conduct random Disclosure and Barring Service checks on everyone associated with the law firm. Generally speaking, it is recommended that legal companies conduct a DBS check if they are hiring someone new. The check can be performed after the individual has submitted their application. If the check doesn’t turn up any red flags, then the individual is ready for the onboarding process.
You should also plan on performing DBA checks if you’re outsourcing work to external legal contractors or working with vulnerable clients which can include minors and the elderly. The reason you’re performing the check can mean using a different DBS screening method. Some are more intensive than others. For example, you probably aren’t going to need to perform an extensive DBA check on a licensed third-party legal contractor. But an extensive one is probably a good idea with a new hire.
Some of the types of individuals that can warrant a DBA check include, Solicitors Barristers Legal Executives Paralegals Court clerks
Legal Secretaries Legal cashiers Trainee solicitors Notaries public
Immigration advisers Mediators Probation service officers Legal advisors in the police force
How to Perform a DBS Check for Legal Professionals
Performing a DBS check for legal professionals is a relatively simple process. Filing out the forms isn’t time-consuming. However, there can be around a two-week waiting period to get the results from the background check. You may want to keep this in mind, especially if the DBS check is for a new employee. You don’t want to leave them waiting for an answer on the application for weeks, so it’s best to get started as soon as possible.
You can either conduct a DBS check by mail or online. Both options are perfectly fine and one isn’t necessarily better than the other.
Performing a DBS Check by Mail
You start by completing an application. You can do this by hand or online. However, if you’re mailing the application, don’t forget you’ll need a printer if you fill it out online. The form asks for basic information about the individual you’re performing the DBS check on. This includes their name, address, and date of birth. You’ll also pay a processing fee. You can include the fee with the application.
Once this is done, send off the application form via post or email depending on what type of screening it requires. After your request has been processed successfully, you will receive confirmation either by post or email within 10-14 days depending on what type of screening was conducted.
Performing a DBS Check Online
Performing a DBS check online is usually the preferred method. Not only is it easier, you get to skip the postal service, it can be a little faster. Remember, you’re not waiting for the post office to deliver the response to the DBA check. This alone can significantly shorten the waiting period. If you’re running the DBS check on an applicant or a third-party legal professional waiting to start working with a client, the online method is typically the best option.
All you need to do is access our online application form, fill it in, then we’ll check it (if there are any missing sections or errors, we’ll let you know right away) and send it directly to the DBS for processing. You will often receive the results within 48 hours, with the certificate following within 14 days.
Types of DBS Checks
As mentioned earlier, there are three different types of DBS checks. These are Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List Checks.
Basic checks involve searching for past and recent convictions that appear in police records. Standard and Enhanced checks provide more detailed and in-depth background information, including open and closed convictions. An Enhanced with Barred List Checks involves checking against lists of people barred from working with vulnerable groups such as children or adults at risk.
Let VVerify Background Check Help with Your DBS Check
Going through a background check can be a daunting experience, even if you have a clean criminal record. If you’re looking for an easy solution to perform a DBS check, VVerify Background Check can help.
VVerify Background Check simplifies the process while also performing an extensive background check using multiple databases. You’ll get your results within two weeks so you can rest assured that the individuals working in your law firm are both trustworthy and reliable.
If you follow the steps we’ve outlined in the above paragraphs, you can rest assured that your legal team is comprised of the right people. Our guide should also let you know when a DBS check is necessary. Get verified with help from VVerify Background Check.
