DBS Check Policy & Consentform

Hallcross Medical Services Limited

DBS Check Policy & Consent Form

Introduction

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) 1975 states that persons applying for work do not have to disclose any previous convictions considered ‘spent’ in law.

There are, however, certain positions which are exempt from this, meaning persons applying for these positions are obliged by law to disclose all previous convictions, ‘spent’ or otherwise, and the organisationspotentially employing them are required to ask certain questions to facilitate the carrying-out of checks.

Whilst there is no definitive list of every individual exempt position, a number of positions in General Practice fall within this. Generally, these are positions where the person, in the normal course of their duties, has direct access to persons receiving healthcare services. The level of check required – standard or enhanced – will depend on the nature of contact with the service user.

Therefore, positions such as front-line reception staff or dispensers would require a standard check because, although they do have direct contact with service users, that contact is minimal and often supervised. Positions such as back-office administration staff and cleaners would not require a check to be performed, due to their lack of contact with service users.

Certain positions within the Company will be subject to enhanced DBS checks.They will be carried out on medical staff, who have far greater,and more involved access to service users (e.g. doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, HCSWs). The criteria deciding which staff members this applies to are set out in the Police Act 1997. Specifically, the clause that states: "A position is within this subsection if it involves regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of persons”. This applies whether the person being cared for is an adult or a child.

Those persons who run the Company (including the registered manager for CQC purposes) are also required to have enhanced DBS checks.

To comply with the law and in order to maintain the safety of patients who use our services, it is the policy of Hallcross Medical Services Limited to undertake Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on all relevant staff members, whether they be permanent, temporary or casual workers.

Policy

Staff members employed at Hallcross Medical Services Limited are employed under contracts which are subject to the following conditions in-relation to DBS checks:

• Initial employment is conditional upon the provision of a satisfactory DBScertificate of a level appropriate to the post held;
• Staff members are required to consent to subsequent DBS checks from time-to-time during their employment atintervals considered appropriate by the Company;
• Staff members are aware that if the requisite DBS certificatesare not supplied in a timely fashion, employment withthe Company will be terminated;
• Whilst employed by the Company, staff are required to immediately report any convictions or offences with which they are charged (excluding speeding and parking violations) to the Business Manager.

Secure Handling, Use, Storage, Retention and Disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure Information

When assessing the suitability of applicants for positions of employment, the Company ensures that it fully complies with the DBS Code of Practice regarding the correct handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of disclosures and disclosure information. The Company also complies fully with its obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.

In addition to adhering with the above Code and Act, the Practice will specifically ensure that:

• Disclosure information is never kept together with other information on an applicant’s personnel file(it is always kept separately and securely in lockable, non-portable storage containers with access strictly controlled and limited to those who are authorised to see it as part of their duties in accordance with Section 124 of the Police Act 1997);
• Disclosure information is only used for the specific purpose for which it was requested and for which the applicant’s full written consent has been given.

Hallcross Medical Services Limited

DBS Disclosures / Disclosure Information - Consent Form

Hallcross Medical Services Limited requires the production of a valid DBS disclosure certificate of a level appropriate to the post held.

The Companyconfirms that any disclosure / disclosure information received will be kept in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Data Protection Act 1998.

Disclosure information received will not be kept on an applicant’s personnel file, but will be kept separately and securely in lockable, non-portable storage containers with access strictly controlled and limited to those who are authorised to see it as part of their duties in accordance with Section 124 of the Police Act 1997.

DBS disclosure information will only used for the specific purpose for which it was requested.

Insert name………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Does consent to the Company obtaining, handling, using, storing, retaining and disposing of DBS disclosuresand related information in-line with the Code and Act stated above.

Signed………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Position………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Filename: DBS Check Policy & Consent FormPage 1 of 4