Social Care News

New body to carry out criminal records checks from Dec 1

A new body which will oversee criminal records checks is being launched tomorrow. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is being created following the merger of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and comes into force on December 1.

From tomorrow onwards if you need to carry out a criminal records check, or if you wish to make a referral to the Independent Safeguarding Authority - for example if you have dismissed an employee because you believe they pose a risk to children or vulnerable adults - you will need to contact the new body.

The new body will continue to process requests for criminal records checks and you should continue to submit applications in the same way you normally do. The only changes you will find is that the application form, continuation sheet, certificate and associated guidance will have been rebranded as DBS.

• Find out more about changes to CRB application forms and certificates here
  
• You can download a PDF 'CRB is changing' here
• A link to the current ISA website is here
  

New contact details for DBS

DBS customer addresses:
PO Box 110, Liverpool, L69 3EF (for any disclosure application issues)
PO Box 181, Darlington, DL1 9FA (for any barring referrals)

Freedom of Information / Data Protection / Subject Access Requests:
All enquiries should be addressed to the relevant department via this address:
PO Box 165
Liverpool
L69 3JD

DBS customer contact numbers:

• For enquiries about DBS checks, call customer services: 0870 90 90 811 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 0870 90 90 811 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
• For DBS referrals and safeguarding matters please contact: 01325 953 795 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 01325 953 795 end_of_the_skype_highlighting