Why Are DBS Checks Important For Safeguarding In Care Homes?
Safeguarding in care homes is of utmost importance to ensure the safety and well-being of residents who live there who rely on you to keep them safe, as well as other staff members,
One easy way to promote safeguarding in care homes is by conducting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on all of your staff members.
Care homes play a crucial role in society by providing care and support to vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, those with disabilities, and those with mental health issues. However, it’s important to recognise that care homes can, unfortunately, also be places where abuse, neglect, and mistreatment do occur at the hands of staff members. Making sure that you have safeguarding checks in place to make sure you are protecting your vulnerable adults is of the utmost importance.
Safeguarding In Care Homes – Duty Of Care For Residents
The importance of a DBS check in care homes cannot be overstated. It is essential to ensure that vulnerable adults are protected from harm and abuse. Care homes have a duty of care to their residents, and a DBS check is a vital part of fulfilling that duty. The process helps to identify individuals who may pose a risk to vulnerable adults and prevent them from being employed in a care home setting. For further reading on this subject, why not read our post on Safeguarding vulnerable patients. Safeguarding Vulnerable Patients With DBS Checks.
The Importance Of A DBS Check For Staff
A DBS check is a process that helps employers make safer recruitment decisions by providing information about an individual’s criminal history, including convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings.
In the context of care homes, a DBS check is a requirement for all staff who work with vulnerable adults. This includes care workers, nurses, support staff, and volunteers. At Aaron’s Department, we understand the importance of safeguarding in care homes, and we make obtaining DBS Checks for your staff a quick and easy process, meaning they can get into work faster, and you can feel secure knowing your residents will be safe.
We also offer an Adult First Check which returns the applicants’ Adult Barred List results usually within 48 hours, allowing them to start work before their full certificate is usually returned. You can find out more, here. Adult First Checks, or why not register below to find out more.
Benefits Of A DBS Check for Safeguarding in Care Homes
DBS checks are an effective way of safeguarding in care homes because they provide employers with valuable information about an individual’s criminal history. For example, a DBS check may reveal a previous conviction for theft or fraud, indicating that the individual may not be trustworthy when handling residents’ personal belongings or finances.
Similarly, a DBS check may reveal a history of violent or abusive behaviour, indicating that the individual may pose a risk to residents’ safety and well-being. There are well-documented cases of abuse in care homes. Criminal Investigation opened after abuse in care home and everywhere has a duty to protect their residents from abuse.
Protecting Care Home Staff With DBS Checks
A DBS check can also identify individuals who have been barred from working with vulnerable adults. The Disclosure and Barring Service maintains a list of individuals who are barred from working with vulnerable adults or children. With a DBS check, safeguarding in care homes will be easier as the check will identify whether an individual is on this list, helping care home employers to avoid employing individuals who pose a risk to vulnerable adults.
Care work can be a challenging and emotionally demanding job, and staff may be at risk of physical or verbal abuse from residents or their families. A DBS check can help to identify individuals who may pose a risk to other care home staff and prevent them from being employed.
Safeguarding In Care Homes Made Easy With The Automatic Update Service
The DBS Update Service is an official DBS online subscription service which allows employers to check whether there have been any changes to their employees’ Standard or Enhanced DBS certificates. Whilst this is an excellent service, manually checking every one of your staff members daily to make sure there has been no change to their certificate status can be time-consuming as well as being easy to forget.
Aaron’s Department provides an exclusive time-saving service that automatically checks to see if there have been any changes to an individual’s certificate on the DBS Update Service and informs you when a change has been made. You can then request a new DBS check for the individual. Safeguarding in care homes has never been easier with the help of Aaron’s Department.
To find out more about our exclusive Automatic Update Service checker, you can read more here. Automatic DBS Update Service Checking For Employers or why not register below.
With A DBS Check, Safeguarding Is Afforded A Layer Of Protection
It’s worth noting that a DBS check is just one part of the recruitment process for care home staff. Employers should also conduct interviews, obtain references, and assess an individual’s suitability for the role. However, with a DBS check, safeguarding is provided an additional layer of protection and helps employers make informed recruitment decisions.
Furthermore, the benefits of a DBS check extend beyond the hiring process. Regular re-checks of existing staff members can help care homes maintain a culture of safety and vigilance. At Aaron’s Department, we recommend implementing a periodic re-assessment policy to ensure that your staff’s criminal records remain clean. This proactive approach enhances ongoing safeguarding in care homes and reinforces your commitment to resident’s well-being.
Summary – Safeguarding In Care Homes
In summary, safeguarding in care homes is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults. A DBS check is an important part of safeguarding in care homes because it provides valuable information about an individual’s criminal history and helps to identify individuals who may pose a risk to vulnerable adults or care home staff.
Employers must ensure that all staff members working with vulnerable adults undergo a DBS check as part of the recruitment process. This will help to create a safe and secure environment for residents and staff alike.
In today’s world, where safeguarding in care homes is paramount, ensuring visibility is crucial. Employing best practices in online visibility can make your care home stand out as a trusted and secure haven for vulnerable adults. Highlighting your commitment to safeguarding through educational initiatives and community involvement can reassure families and individuals seeking a care home with a strong emphasis on safety. By actively participating in local safeguarding efforts and promoting awareness of safeguarding, you can fulfil your mission to provide a secure and nurturing environment for residents and staff members.
Contact Us Today
To find out more about the DBS services we offer and the different DBS Checks available at Aaron’s Department. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call on 0113 877 0171, e-mail us at contact@aaronsdepartment.com, or register for free below and start your DBS staff checks.