Member Article

Do apprentices need a DBS check?

Apprenticeship schemes are becoming an increasingly popular choice for young people wishing to enter the work industry. Your business may have planned to hire an apprentice this summer, but have you considered whether they will need a DBS check?

Apprentices can be a fantastic addition to your workforce, allowing you to create a dedicated and loyal team, nurturing them in a way that will truly benefit your company. The majority of people participating in an apprenticeship scheme are fresh out of school or college leavers, so they will be brimming with energy and keen to learn. In exchange for their services you are helping young people gain real-life experience of the business world, paying them a wage and positioning yourself as a business that cares about the future of young people.

Why would an apprentice need a DBS check?

As a business, you have a legal obligation to protect the health and safety of your employees and an apprentice is included within these guidelines. This could mean that the apprentice you hire needs to undergo a criminal record check, otherwise known as a DBS check, to ensure that they are legally allowed to work in your industry.

A DBS check is essential for any apprentice working within the NHS, healthcare industries childcare, education and other positions in teaching and education. Even if your apprentice is only doing admin duties in any of these professions, a DBS check is still legally required.

You can’t put a price on safety

Many employers are reluctant to get their apprentice a DBS check due to the cost, but it is a small price to pay for security and you can buy basic DBS checks online, starting from around £45. Hiring the wrong person would cause much more serious consequences and as anyone aged 16 or over can have a DBS check, it really is worthwhile to make sure. Ask your apprentice to provide the appropriate identification, such as a valid passport, and take their personal information to send off for a DBS check. After the check is completed, the individual will be sent a certificate containing information about their criminal history, which they will then be asked to present to their employer.

As now is the time that many students are considering the various apprenticeship schemes for the forthcoming summer, you will need to act fast by hiring the apprentice of your choice before it’s too late for them to have a DBS check. While they don’t usually take longer than a month to process, it is always good to get the ball rolling as early as possible. You don’t want to miss out on a valuable business opportunity, as the apprentice you hire could be the future star of your company.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Personnel Checks .