DBS Eligibility for Healthcare Workers: What You Need to Know

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has recently updated its eligibility guidance for healthcare roles. This update particularly affects references to children’s hospitals in Wales and ensures that job roles align with the latest policies. Whether you are an employer or a professional in the healthcare sector, it’s crucial to understand how these updates impact your role and the level of DBS check required.

Who Needs a DBS Check?

A DBS check (previously known as a criminal record check) is required for individuals working in healthcare roles that involve contact with patients. The level of check depends on the nature of their responsibilities, whether they work with children or adults, and whether they are in regulated activity.

DBS Eligibility for Healthcare Professionals

A healthcare professional is someone in a role regulated by one of the following professional bodies:

• General Medical Council

• General Pharmaceutical Council

• General Dental Council

• Nursing and Midwifery Council

• General Optical Council

• Health and Care Professions Council

• General Osteopathic Council

• Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

• General Chiropractic Council

• Social Work England

For professionals in these regulated roles, an Enhanced DBS check with a Barred List check (Children’s and/or Adults’) is typically required.

Key Scenarios Explained

• Doctors, Nurses, and Healthcare Assistants: If they provide healthcare directly to children and/or adults, they qualify for an Enhanced DBS check with a relevant Barred List check.

• Supervised Healthcare Workers: If under direct supervision or instruction of a healthcare professional, these individuals also require an Enhanced DBS check.

• Support Staff in Healthcare Settings: Hospital porters, administrative staff, and auxiliary roles may require different levels of DBS checks based on their job responsibilities and level of patient interaction.

• Counsellors and Psychotherapists: The eligibility for a DBS check depends on whether they work under the direction of a regulated healthcare professional or with children frequently.

• Interpreters and Call Handlers: Eligibility depends on whether their duties directly support the provision of healthcare services.

• Hospital Porters and Auxiliary Roles: Those who transport patients or work in regulated environments may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, while others may require only a Standard or Basic check.

Children’s Hospitals and Hospices

• Staff working in children’s hospitals for more than three days in a 30-day period are eligible for an Enhanced DBS check in the child workforce.

• Those involved in regulated activity, such as personal care or medical treatment, require an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.

Special Cases: High-Security Psychiatric Hospitals and NHS Counter Fraud Roles

• Individuals working in Ashworth, Broadmoor, or Rampton hospitals qualify for an Enhanced DBS check in the adult workforce, regardless of their job role.

• NHS counter-fraud and security management roles are eligible for a Standard DBS check.

What This Means for Healthcare Employers

With these updates, healthcare employers must review job descriptions and ensure that the appropriate level of DBS checks is applied to each role. If you are unsure about eligibility for a specific position, it’s advisable to consult DBS guidance or seek professional assistance.