The Role of DBS Checks in Domestic Recruitment (Nanny and Housekeeper)
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is an official background screening process that helps ensure safe and reliable hiring decisions by ensuring that any relevant criminal history is transparently disclosed.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about
The Importance of DBS Checks for Safeguarding Vulnerable Individuals
DBS checks are particularly significant when hiring staff who will work closely with children, elderly family members, or those requiring specialised care.
At HomeOrganisers, DBS checks are a key part of how we carefully vet candidates, helping us ensure safe and reliable placements for your household.
Understanding DBS Checks
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks are essential for safety and trust when hiring housekeepers, nannies, or other household staff.
The person undergoing the DBS check owns the information and decides who it’s shared with.
Employers can only request a DBS check that is appropriate for the role. For example, an Enhanced DBS check is necessary for positions involving children or vulnerable adults, while a Basic check might suffice for general gardening roles, for example.
At HomeOrganisers, we ensure employees and employers understand these rights and responsibilities, helping to build trust and transparency throughout the recruitment process.
The DBS Update Service
The DBS Update Service is a subscription that keeps a candidate’s DBS certificate up to date, giving you peace of mind that their criminal record stays clear during their employment.
The DBS Update Service offers several benefits. It’s portable, so the certificate stays with the candidate. Your employee can allow you access to their up-to-date DBS, by requesting a unique code, at any time. This service is also cost-effective and simplifies the process of managing DBS checks for ongoing peace of mind.
Common DBS FAQs
- How long does a DBS check take?
A Basic DBS is very quick, often within hours of submission. Enhanced DBS, are often also, very quick, but sometimes they can take weeks. A slow DBS doesn’t mean anything either positive or negative, it just means that it's hit a block in the DBS system, such as a busy local police force. It can be frustrating waiting, but I would say, that the majority are through in less than a week
- How long is a DBS valid?
Strictly speaking, a DBS is not valid, past its printing date, however, most people/companies will accept a DBS up to 12 months old, or a DBS on the DBS Update Service. It's worth mentioning that the original hard copy DBS certificate which matches the certificate on the DBS Update service, should be seen and matched to the online information from the Update Service. The information that the Update service will give is that there has been ‘no change,’ so we need to see what the original certificate said!
- Which provider do you use?
We use Care Check (https://www.carecheck.co.uk/) who are brilliant and very helpful. Candidates sometimes struggle with the process, and Care Check is always on hand to guide and do what they can to ensure that the DBS application moves through the system as quickly and as accurately as possible.
Our Vetting Process
At HomeOrganisers, DBS checks are a crucial part of our domestic staff recruitment process, but they’re just one aspect of our broader vetting strategy. We take a holistic approach to ensure each candidate meets the highest standards of professionalism and integrity while being well-suited for high-end domestic roles.
First, we review each candidate’s CV and professional background, focusing on their experience in high-end domestic roles and prioritising qualities like reliability, attention to detail, and professionalism. We check that they have the appropriate DBS and start the DBS application if not. We apply for Enhanced checks for positions involving vulnerable individuals, or children and recommend registration to the DBS Update Service. This, alongside referencing that we then pass on to you, allows us to understand the candidate’s work ethic and reliability.
We conduct two interviews with every candidate. One is an initial short interview and the second is in-depth. We assess skills and soft skills as well as personality fit, and compatibility with your household. This is especially important for Nanny and Housekeeper recruitment.
We offer a free trial session to ensure both the family, and the candidate are a good fit before committing to a long-term placement.
Why Choose HomeOrganisers?
At HomeOrganisers, we prioritise trust and professionalism in our recruitment process. We ensure that every candidate is thoroughly vetted, to provide you with reliable and qualified staff for your home. We are here to make your domestic staff recruitment process easy and stress-free., reliable and safe.
Ready to find the perfect nanny or housekeeper for your home? Or if you want to know more about how we vet our candidates, we’re here to help. Contact us today or explore our nanny recruitment and housekeeper hiring pages to get started.