1. Chartered Accountants

In UK law, the role of a chartered accountant is listed as an “excepted profession” in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Any job role on this list requires a standard DBS check. A standard DBS check reveals any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that a job applicant has.

Chartered accountants have a lot of responsibility, so a DBS check for this role is warranted. The role of an accountant is to measure, report and give advice on the financial matters of businesses and individuals, which they usually act upon in the knowledge the advice is the right one.

While not every conviction will stop an applicant from becoming a chartered accountant, any conviction related to fraud or financial misconduct will likely end that opportunity.

2. Solicitor

Keeping with roles that impact the lives of individuals and the running of businesses, a solicitor is another role that requires a DBS check. The majority of law firms expect qualified solicitors to have a DBS check, usually a Standard level check.

Additionally, when new legislation on Anti-Money Laundering became law in January 2020, any new beneficial owners, officers and managers (BOOMs) and any BOOM looking to switch legal firms needs a basic DBS check. This will prove that they don’t have any criminal convictions that would prevent them from fulfilling their role.

3. Scrap Metal Dealer

A scrap metal dealer is probably the most surprising job title on this list. This is because of the process dealers have to go through to get a scrap metal licence from their local council. Every person named on the licence application must include a basic disclosure certificate. This provides councils with information of any unspent convictions the applicant has.

This will judge the licence applicant’s suitability to have a scrap metal licence. If the applicant has been convicted of certain offences, making them unsuitable to hold the licence, their application will be refused.

4. Roles Where Alcohol Is Served 

Not every employee who works in a bar or a shop that sells alcohol needs to have a DBS check. The roles in question relate to anyone who has a licence to sell/serve alcohol or supervises a location that does. When applying for a personal licence to sell alcohol, you must provide a basic disclosure, no older than a month, to prove your suitability for the role.

5. Traffic Warden

This is the only list in which a traffic warden and a chartered accountant have something in common. A traffic warden is a role that is also an “excepted profession” on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 list. Because the role involves interaction with the public, potentially vulnerable adults and under 18s, they are eligible for a standard DBS check. 

6. Members Of The Locksmith Association

If you want to be a locksmith for a living, you must be a member of the Master Locksmiths Association. Part of the process into the MLA is a standard DBS check application. Locksmiths will involve having access to homes, schools, hospitals, private buildings where children and vulnerable adults could be present, which is why they need a DBS check.

7. Vets

Vets will interact with many pet owners, and some of these will be children or vulnerable adults. When applying for a veterinary position, a standard DBS check will be required on entry into the profession.

8. Pest Control

When working in pest control, the employee could be sent out to various locations including schools, nursing homes and nurseries. They also have access to dangerous weapons and tools, so only suitable candidates must be hired. Thus on entry to the profession, applicants need a basic DBS check.

9. Gambling Association Commissioners 

The role of a gambling association commissioner is also on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 list. The role is eligible for an enhanced DBS check, to ensure the individual doesn’t have any past convictions which could concern the Commission. 

10. Football Stewards

A football steward is the face of the football club as fans attend match days. This means that stewards have regular contact with the public, which also includes children under 18 or vulnerable adults. This makes the role eligible for a standard DBS check to ensure they’re suitable to interact with the public.

While these roles may surprise you, criminal record checks are here to support businesses with finding the most suitable candidates for roles, and avoiding hiring anyone deemed unsuitable.

An employer can request a Basic DBS check for any role. However, there are specific roles where your employer legally requires a Standard or Enhanced DBS check to make sure you are eligible and will depend on the responsibilities your role has in the organisation. 

Safeguarding procedures for positions that involve regular interaction with sensitive members of society such as children or vulnerable adults are always required and ultimately benefits all those involved.

DBS Eligibility In The Education Sector 

Working in education covers a broad range of careers that will primarily work with or in proximity to children and young adults, so need some extent of safeguarding. Jobs in education that require a DBS check include but are not limited to:

• Teachers (as well as teaching assistants)
• Playtime supervisors
• Dinner Ladies
• Receptionists
• Administrators

If you’re working in contact with children unsupervised, it is most likely that an Enhanced DBS check will be required.

DBS Eligibility In The Healthcare Sector

The Healthcare sector is another example of a market with a wide spectrum of jobs that provide services to vulnerable adults and children. The jobs that require a DBS check include:

• Doctor or Nurse
• Wider Hospital Staff such as Receptionists, Cleaners, Volunteers (in most cases, a Standard level check is required for these positions)
• Pharmacist
• Social workers
• Care-Home Staff

Again, with roles working with similar responsibilities to those in education, most organisations will require an Enhanced DBS check.

DBS Eligibility In Legal, Financial And Related Professions

When working in the legal or financial sector, your role may require the management of personal information or the assets of others. Handling data like this is often considered sensitive, so it is beneficial for an organisation to perform a background check on potential employees to confirm eligibility. Jobs in this field that might require a Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS check include:

• Accountants
• Barristers
• Actuaries
• Solicitors

DBS Eligibility For Other Positions

There are many other jobs in which an organisation could ask you for a DBS check, including some you may not have considered before. Both paid, and volunteering roles are treated the same when considering DBS checks if they are:

• Television Crew (including extras)
• Veterinary Surgeons
• Traffic Wardens
• Football & Event Stewards

DBS Eligibility For Volunteering Roles

Volunteering roles will also be subject to the same DBS checks that hold the same responsibilities as their paid counterparts. If you’re volunteering at a school, for example, you will still require an enhanced DBS check.

Generally, a DBS check for your new job is something you shouldn’t be worried about as they’re an essential part of the recruitment process and are carried out for the safety of those involved. 

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