What Is An Adult First Check?
A DBS Adult First check is an optional add-on for any Enhanced DBS checks that include a Vulnerable Adult Barred List check. The Adult First check allows employees who will be engaging in regulated activities with Vulnerable Adults to start work (under supervision) before their Enhanced DBS certificate is completed and returned.
The Adult First check takes place during stage 3 of the checking process, which usually occurs within 48 hours of applying.
Enhanced checks sometimes take a while to be returned, so this can be extremely helpful for healthcare providers who need their care staff to start work ASAP. With Aaron’s Department, requesting an Adult First check is as simple as checking a box on the candidate’s DBS application form.
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What Is An Adult First Check?
A DBS Adult First check is an optional add-on for any Enhanced DBS checks that include a Vulnerable Adult Barred List check. The Adult First check allows employees who will be engaging in regulated activities with Vulnerable Adults to start work (under supervision) before their Enhanced DBS certificate is completed and returned.
The Adult First check takes place during stage 3 of the checking process, which usually occurs within 48 hours of applying.
Enhanced checks sometimes take a while to be returned, so this can be extremely helpful for healthcare providers who need their care staff to start work ASAP. With Aaron’s Department, requesting an Adult First check is as simple as checking a box on the candidate’s DBS application form.
How much does an Adult First Check cost?
Adult First checks are a useful tool, but they do come at an additional cost:
DBS Fee – what the government charges.
£6.00
Admin Fee (+VAT) – what Aaron’s Department charges.
£5.45
Total (+ Admin Fee VAT)
£11.45
Why Use an Adult First Check?
It’s a legal requirement that employers carry out an Enhanced DBS check on all staff who will be working with Vulnerable Adults.
However, Enhanced DBS checks are completed entirely at the whim of the DBS and the local police forces who actually perform the check. They aim to complete all applications within 2 weeks, but it is not uncommon for them to take much longer. If you can’t risk waiting this long for your new-hire to start, paying extra for an Adult First check is the best option.
That said, you don’t need a specific reason to justify your request for an Adult First application. If you’re happy with the additional charge, you can use them without limit, for any Enhanced DBS check requiring an Adults’ Barred List check.
Who Can Request an Adult First Check?
Whether to request an Adult First check is typically the employer’s choice, not the applicant’s. Using Aaron’s Department, the process is as simple as ticking the “request Adult First check?” box when setting up their DBS application form.
DBS Adult First checks cannot be applied for separately – they are an optional extra of Enhanced DBS checks, not a standalone check.
Important Note
Adult First checks only cover the applicant to work under supervision with Vulnerable Adults before their certificate arrives.
In order to work with under-18s under any circumstances, you will need to view their full DBS certificate.
There is no equivalent ‘Adult First check’ for regulated activity with children.
What Does The Adult First Check Show?
The possible results of a barred list check are:
The applicant‘s name is verified as not being on the Adult Barred List
The DBS sends the following message: ‘no match exists for this person on the current adults’ barred list’
The applicant is on the Barred List
The DBS sends the following message: ‘Registered Body must wait for the DBS certificate’
Further investigation is needed to determine whether the applicant is on the Barred List
The DBS sends the following message: ‘Registered Body must wait for the DBS certificate’
As you can see, receiving a ‘wait for the certificate’ response doesn’t necessarily mean the applicant is on the barred list, so don’t presume any guilt! It could mean that there is a person with similarities (e.g. name, D.O.B etc.), or that there has been a criminal conviction that needs exploring further.
Unfortunately, it also means your applicant can’t start work until they receive their certificate – thankfully, this situation doesn’t happen often. The government does not provide any statistics on the frequency of this occurrence, but in our experience, at least 4/5 of Adult First applications are successful.
What happens if the applicant’s name is on the Adult’s Barred List?
If someone is on the Adult Barred List, they have been classified as a potential risk to Vulnerable Adults because of something they’ve done. This will be disclosed on the applicant’s DBS certificate.
It is a criminal offence for a barred individual to work with groups they are barred from, and it’s also an offence to employ them in such a role.
In fact, it’s a criminal offence for barred individuals to even apply for jobs that involve working with their respective Barred List group. If an employer receives an application from an individual who is barred from working with the group in question, they should notify the police, as the individual has committed a criminal offence by applying for the role.
Important Notice
In cases where an employee who initially was not on the Vulnerable Adult’s Barred list when first hired proves to be harmful, employers are legally obliged to refer them to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Employers are obliged by law to report someone as unfit to work with children or vulnerable adults if the employer:
◉ Sacks them because they harmed someone.
◉ Dismisses them or changes their role because they might have harmed someone.
◉ Was planning to sack them for either of these reasons, but they resigned first.
How do I get an Adult First Check with Aaron’s Department?
The first step would be to create an account with us (it’s free!) using the buttons below if you haven’t already. Next, you’ll need to create an Enhanced DBS application for your applicant.
Normally, Adult First checks are requested by employers once the Enhanced DBS application has passed DBS Stage 1. However, Aaron’s Department’s online system allows you to automatically request a check by ticking the ‘Adult First required?’ box when creating the application. As soon as it’s passed Stage 1, we’ll request the Adult First check for you.
Registering With Aaron’s Department
Aaron’s Department is a supplier of low-cost, error-proof DBS checks for employers. Our easy-to-use online system allows us to provide a very cost-effective and fast service. Registration is free, and our friendly support team is available from 8-5 on weekdays to answer any questions you may have.
No Hidden Costs, and a Fast, Effective Service
As an Umbrella Body, Aaron’s Department is connected directly to the UK Government’s DBS gateway. This means we can process checks and send them on to the DBS as quickly as possible, resulting in a promptly returned Enhanced DBS Certificate. How quick? We guarantee that every DBS check we receive before 4:00pm on a weekday will be processed the same day.
Unlike other companies who offer similar services, we don’t hide behind subscriptions, sign-up fees, minimum spends, contracts, or hidden fees. All our expenses are included on our website – nor do we charge extra for fast-track DBS checks (unlike a lot of our competitors). All our DBS checks are fast-tracked for free.
You can check our DBS pricing by visiting our online DBS Check pricing page.
If you’re interested in our services, follow the button below to register with us for free. If you have any questions, ask away at contact@aaronsdepartment.com or call us on 0113 877 0171. Our team is always happy to help!
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