The Chief Executive of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Eric Robinson has issued the following statement:
DBS recognises the vital role it has to play in responding to this national crisis. Employers within the healthcare profession are starting to recruit huge numbers of staff and volunteers to help them deal with the significant demand. The role of DBS is to ensure we provide those employers and voluntary organisations with adequate information, to enable them to make safer recruitment decisions.
Measures have been taken and systems put in place that will ensure we prioritise applications for DBS checks for those who are assisting in responding to this national emergency, making sure where possible, checks are carried out within 24 hours and also checking the Barred lists to make sure applicants are not already barred from working in regulated activity.
We will continue to work with the Home Office and other Government departments to provide them with as much support as possible and we believe with the measures we have taken, we will be in a position to meet the increase in demand for the foreseeable future.
