If you have a cleaner ...

[Cleanestcleaner]

Do you expect them to have a clear dbs check ?
I’m looking for work but many avenues are closed to me (for a v minor misdemeanour) yet i thought I could maybe be a SE cleaner but having looked around I’m seeing for agency work you need a dbs is this the same for SE ? Getting a bit worried it’s going to be a barrier

Don’t have one at the moment but have previously hired through word of mouth recommendation with no idea if they had a DBS check (so they probably didn’t). We didnt have kids at the time though and trusted the recommender. They were much better than subsequent agency cleaners (with all checks etc).

We've had cleaners before and not asked for a DBs check.

No I don’t ask for this.

Sorry to hear this, OP. A very minor misdemeanour should not be a barrier to earning a future living ☹️

We have had our cleaner for years - she was recommended by a friend and we didn't consider asking or requesting a DBS check.

Never asked about DBS.

Not asked about them either.

Not necessary for a cleaner as you’d never be with a child unsupervised- make sure that you aren’t, by the way....

No

Not asked mine

Thanks so much perhaps it’s more of an agency requirement then? I hope so. It seems the best and quickest way for me to get out and get earning and I’m actually good at it.
I just didn’t want the embarrassment of declaring it. Sounds awful as it’s technically‘assault’ but the details were I pushed away from me someone who was threatening they fell and the next day he had called the police and said I’d done more and I got arrested. I panicked and said what was the quickest way to leave and was told accept a caution so stupidly admitted to more than I’d done as needed to get back to my baby. In hindsight I should have never admitted to doing more than I had and waited for a solicitor

I have checked dbs before. It’s not just for the benefit of children however, its the idea of trusting a stranger with access to your house while you aren’t there.

Depends what a “minor misdemeanour” is?

Taken from the CPS website:

“minor offences may be categorised as either:
(a) cautions;
(b) conditional cautions;
(c) Penalty Notices for Disorder (which can be suggested to the police as an appropriate disposal);
(d) reprimands and final warnings (for youths only);
(e) no further action.

The man that forced his way into my bedroom to assault me (not sexually) was given a caution. Personally I don’t consider his offence minor. How many serious offences are knocked down to minor ones just because the courts and prisons are overflowing?

If the person was up front with me with their position I’d be more inclined to hire them. My cleaner I know personally so I never did a dbs check, I may be a bit more thorough with someone I didn’t know though.

@Cleanestcleaner

Thanks so much perhaps it’s more of an agency requirement then? I hope so. It seems the best and quickest way for me to get out and get earning and I’m actually good at it. I just didn’t want the embarrassment of declaring it. Sounds awful as it’s technically‘assault’ but the details were I pushed away from me someone who was threatening they fell and the next day he had called the police and said I’d done more and I got arrested. I panicked and said what was the quickest way to leave and was told accept a caution so stupidly admitted to more than I’d done as needed to get back to my baby. In hindsight I should have never admitted to doing more than I had and waited for a solicitor

In this situation just be upfront when asked for dbs checks. Employers will either support you or not, you won’t be able to do anything about it, but you can move on.

Is there a way you could challenge it if you were pressured into accepting a caution which is effecting your ability to find work?

Sorry, but I only use agencies so I know that the cleaners are checked. However, the kind of thing you describe shouldn't stop you getting a job with an agency. I wouldnt have thought you'd have to disclose it to the customer.

The agency should make thier own decisions/risk assessment based on what they read on there and what you tell them.
As long as it's not theft etc, you might be ok.
But I wouldn't take in a self employed cleaner without DBS, i just couldn't trust the keys to my home to just anyone.

At the time I just knew I needed to get out of there ASAP so did what I was told was the quickest way to then get back to my child. I have thought since could I change it but I’m assuming it would mean an expensive solicitor and I can’t afford that. So hoping I can just get on with my plan to do cleaning

Had various cleaners over the years and never asked about such a thing.

I would only find someone by word of mouth, in that I would ask a friend if they had a cleaner who was good and wanted more work.

If you have one job you will get more after a time but it will take time to build up.

Good luck!

You can challenge a police caution and have it removed but you will need legal advice. Given the circumstances in your position I would challenge it.

I've employed a variety of cleaners over the last 30 years or so and never asked for a DBS check. They only really tell you that if the person is dodgy that they haven't been caught yet!

OP.

Why don't you search for your first client - maybe someone you know / ask your friends if they know of anyone looking?

Then do a very good job, be reliable, conscientious, etc. Word of mouth will soon get you more customers.