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Original poster

Starting new job in a school, DBS delayed

20 replies

Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 09:36

I’m due to start a new job in a private school on the 31st Aug, I filled in the DBS application on the 8th July and still haven’t had it back. I called the service providing the check and they told me it’s been with the local police (stage 4) for 27 days. But the rest has gone through fine.

I checked my local police website and they are saying that it’s taking 60 - 100 days to complete a check of the PNC for DBS. Which if true will mean I don’t get my DBS until mid September at the earliest.

Does this mean I won’t be able to start my job? I already have an Enhanced DBS for my current job, but it doesn’t include children.

Im so stressed. I won’t make my mortgage payments if I can’t start work.

OP posts:
Mouseylu · 15/08/2022 09:46

The school can put a risk assessment and list 99 check in place pending DBS which would mean you cannot be unaccompanied with children but could work..

Beldam · 15/08/2022 09:51

As above, a risk assessment will be made and assuming that is low risk then you’ll be able to start. You may have to have a chaperone at all times which is a bit frustrating when you just want to nip to the loo !
dont stress it’s going to be fine

( I’m presuming this is a non teaching role )

GuerlainHo · 15/08/2022 09:55

This happened to me and I was still able to start but there were certain parts of my role I wouldn’t be able to fulfil without having the DBS back.

They might say you can’t start if they want to be sure you have it but there are ways around it until you receive it back.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Greenandcabbagelooking · 15/08/2022 09:59

You’d have to be escorted everywhere, which is a pain for the school. They might say you can’t start until your DBS is processed. I would contact school and let them know, they might be able to expedite it. I’d also contact the people that do the PNC, and let them know you need it to start work on 31st. They may be able to fast track it.

Original poster
Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 10:06

That’s the problem, my role is unsupervised. It’s as a matron in the boarding house. I’ve just heard back from the school saying they do need to see it before I can be cleared to start. This is an absolute nightmare!

I guess my next step Is contacting the local police, they state not to contact them until 60 days have elapsed but I have to try something.

Its slightly annoying that I didn’t get the link for the DBS until nearly a month after I had accepted the job, not a lot I can do about it now though.

OP posts:
moistmingemist · 15/08/2022 10:17

Stage 4 is often the longest stage, the police can be notoriously slow doing their checks but often that's because of how thorough they are too. I work in HR and deal with DBS checks and I'm finding that new applicants who've never had a check are taking approx 2 months but others are coming through a lot quicker. It's a waiting game and there's nothing you can do to speed it up unfortunately. I know it's frustrating.

Soproudoflionesses · 15/08/2022 10:18

Pretty sure it will be fine as long as you are not left alone with a child until it comes through

Soproudoflionesses · 15/08/2022 10:18

Sorry just saw your update

Original poster
Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 10:30

Thanks everyone, as suspected there’s nothing I can do but wait and hope it arrives within the next 2 weeks. If not I’m not sure what we will do, go into debt I suppose. Kind of takes the shine off my excitement for this new job, which is absolutely my dream job and I’m so looking forward to it.

OP posts:
LIZS · 15/08/2022 10:34

Have the school been told it has been processed? If you applied via them it would be flagged but the paperwork come to you.

Original poster
Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 10:40

LIZS · 15/08/2022 10:34

Have the school been told it has been processed? If you applied via them it would be flagged but the paperwork come to you.

They sent me a link to their DBS provider but the updates and certificate comes to me directly. I’m not sure if they can track the progress as they are paying for it?

They seem completely unbothered at the moment which is a good sign! They need someone to be supervising the kids from the 5th September (first few days are training which I assume I could attend regardless) so I’m guessing they are hopeful it will arrive in time, I’m not the only new starter so I guess we are all in the same boat!

OP posts:
Greengr · 15/08/2022 11:05

I'm sure you could get some temp work if it doesn't come back.

JockTamsonsBairns · 15/08/2022 12:47

I was in exactly the same boat earlier this year. Handed in my 4 weeks' notice on the same day as my DBS application went in for my new job, thinking that would be ample time for processing.
Except my notice period was up and still no sign of the paperwork. Like you, I couldn't pay my mortgage with no income.
Tried to chase it up, but everyone I spoke to couldn't help - I just kept being told it was sitting at Stage 4, and nothing could be done until it had been there for 60 days.

Very fortunately for me, I was able to contact my former employer and ask if they would keep me on as a temporary employee on a rolling weekly contract which they agreed to. Not ideal, but it was either that or use credit cards.

Also luckily for me, my new employer was on board with this and held the job offer open for me - for an additional 7 weeks longer than we'd anticipated.

It was a nightmare. Really hope the paperwork drops through your door in the next week 🙏

Original poster
Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 15:59

JockTamsonsBairns · 15/08/2022 12:47

I was in exactly the same boat earlier this year. Handed in my 4 weeks' notice on the same day as my DBS application went in for my new job, thinking that would be ample time for processing.
Except my notice period was up and still no sign of the paperwork. Like you, I couldn't pay my mortgage with no income.
Tried to chase it up, but everyone I spoke to couldn't help - I just kept being told it was sitting at Stage 4, and nothing could be done until it had been there for 60 days.

Very fortunately for me, I was able to contact my former employer and ask if they would keep me on as a temporary employee on a rolling weekly contract which they agreed to. Not ideal, but it was either that or use credit cards.

Also luckily for me, my new employer was on board with this and held the job offer open for me - for an additional 7 weeks longer than we'd anticipated.

It was a nightmare. Really hope the paperwork drops through your door in the next week 🙏

What a nightmare for you.

I do probably have the option of staying on in my current job for a few weeks. So I’ll explore that tomorrow.

My current job is/was terrible for my mental and physical health (care) and the only thing keeping me going these past 8 weeks has been the knowledge it’s nearly over. I suppose if I take enough citalopram I might get through another month.

Everything feels so broken in the U.K. (world?) right now doesn’t it?

OP posts:
Makeitwork44 · 15/08/2022 16:31

This is very frustrating and something I have experienced. My position could not start until my DBS arrived. I have had a DBS come through extremely quickly and one take months.

You have my sympathies. I hope it comes through ASAP

Original poster
Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 16:39

My previous DBS took maybe a week! Unfortunately they won’t accept my old one as it was only for working with vulnerable adults.

OP posts:
LIZS · 15/08/2022 17:44

Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 16:39

My previous DBS took maybe a week! Unfortunately they won’t accept my old one as it was only for working with vulnerable adults.

The purpose of previous one shouldn't matter, the check is the same. Presumably you did not subscribe to the update service.

Original poster
Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 17:53

@LIZS it was all done through my current employer so I’m not sure if they would have it updated yearly? They are not very good employers so they probably wouldn’t tell me if they had!

OP posts:
gogohmm · 15/08/2022 18:24

I process Dbs's for work, they typically take 5-10 days, the only ones which took over 10 days were where the person had recently lived overseas. Mine is enhanced and took under a week in 2021

LIZS · 15/08/2022 18:25

Moaningturtle1 · 15/08/2022 17:53

@LIZS it was all done through my current employer so I’m not sure if they would have it updated yearly? They are not very good employers so they probably wouldn’t tell me if they had!

It is still yours, not employers, and you would have been invited to subscribe to the update service at the time.

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