Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks (previously known as CRB checks)
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) have merged to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). CRB checks are now called DBS checks.
Burton Copeland Ltd can assist you with DBS related matters in the following ways:
- 1. Prevent an entry on a DBS Check Certificate or DBS Barred List
If you have been convicted of certain specified offences the DBS will be notified of the conviction and you will be invited to make representations as to why you should not be included on either/or the adult and/or children barred list.
The decision to bar relates to your perceived future risk and whether or not it is considered appropriate for you to be included.
We can assist by making written representations and by providing the DBS with relevant material which may influence their decision.
What happens if there is a mistake on your DBS check certificate?
Our team of specialist lawyers can assist you in appealing against any mistakes on your DBS check certificate. The DBS records may provide wrong or irrelevant information about previous convictions and this can have a significant impact on your life. We can ensure that such mistakes are rectified on your behalf.
Previous cautions and convictions can prevent you from:
1. Getting a job;
2. Enrolling on a college or university course;
3. Securing accommodation;
4. Travelling;
5. Getting insurance;
6. Obtaining a loan; or
7. Fostering or adopting.
Our team of specialist lawyers can apply to have cautions or convictions edited and/or removed from your DBS check certificate, depending on your circumstances.
We can also apply to remove other miscellaneous information such as details of arrests and acquittals which did not result in a conviction but which may still appear on the DBS check certificate.
Do you have a police caution pre-dating 2012?
If you do and you did not seek legal advice in relation to accepting the caution or not at the relevant time, we may be able to judicially review the decision in the light of recent caselaw. If successful, the caution will be removed from your DBS check certificate.
At Burton Copeland we have a dedicated team of specialist lawyers who can assist you if your regulatory body refers you to the DBS following allegations made to your regulatory body about your fitness to practise or following criminal convictions relating to vulnerable adults or children.
We can make representations on your behalf to prevent your name being entered onto either of the barred lists (children or vulnerable adults), to correct an existing entry on either of these lists and we can apply to have information removed from either of these lists on your behalf if the worst has already happened.
As entry onto either of these lists can seriously affect your career and any future employment, it is important that you seek specialist legal advice as soon as possible and ideally, once notified of any potential referral to the DBS.
In summary, Burton Copeland Solicitors can assist you in all areas related to the DBS. Please telephone 0161 827 9500 if you are in need of any assistance in this regard.
