Employing a carer with a police check from abroad | QCS

Can I employ (meaning to start working already) a carer with a police check done abroad (translated into English and is certified). She has just moved here to the UK. I will do the DBS as well but can I start her induction as a carer in the mean time while the DBS is processing?

I will put a risk assessment and she has two great references and is a nurse in her country (EU).

Thank you for the answer.

Dani

 

Sheila Scott
Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Dani,

Thank you for your question.

I presume that you need this person to start work as quickly as possible.

The employment of staff is the responsibility of the Registered Manager.

The points you raise are very important:

You state that you have:

  • A police check done abroad (translated into English and is certified;
  • Two great references;
  • That she is a qualified nurse in her own country.

Whatever happens in these circumstances you must apply for the DBS as soon as possible.

I think you need to verify that she has only recently arrived in the UK and that she is who she says she is (through her passport).

You do need to do a risk assessment and she should not work unsupervised or alone.

Having assessed the risk and the needs of your business you as the Registered Manager can then make the decision. Everything needs to be very carefully recorded.

This is what the DBS service says on its website.

Overview

An employer may request a criminal records check processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as part of its recruitment process.

For certain roles the check will also include information held on the DBS children and adults’ barred lists, together with any information held locally by police forces that is reasonably considered to be relevant to the applied for post.

These checks are to assist employers in making safer recruitment and licensing decisions. However a check is just one part of robust recruitment practice. When a check has been processed by the DBS and completed the individual will receive a DBS certificate.

In this guide you can find out when, as an employer or organisation, you may access criminal records checks and how to apply for them.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dbs-check-requests-guidance-for-employers

Best wishes.

Sheila

About Sheila Scott

Sheila Scott OBE from National Care Association (NCA). Care is Sheila’s life; she possesses a strong command of the issues facing the care sector informed by her long career as a nursing professional, the owner and manager of a care business and as a leader in the care sector. 3. Read more

Related Questions