To not want to pay for yet another criminal check?

[FieryChipotle]

Ok, I'm ready for a flaming but basically, I'm broke!

I am a secondary school teacher and after an extended maternity leave, I am back at work through an agency.

I had a criminal check done December 2012 (governor) and February 2013 (a teaching agency.) I recently joined a new agency, who found me work straight away on a long-term assignment.

When I joined new agency, they were quite happy with my February DBS check and requested to have it ported from my old agency. All fine.

I was then offered a permanent contract at the school I am cover teacher in after I applied for a job, went through the interview process etc. Agency were really pissed off because the school is refusing to pay them a 'finders fee' as I applied and went through the process independently.

Three days later, agency are being a massive pain. Firstly, I have not been paid (apparently the school did the time sheet late - they did not) and I have to wait another week for my money. Now, my DBS check is not good enough (even though it was two weeks ago) and they want me to have a whole new one done for £44 or I can't work.

The school is doing their own DBS check in the next few weeks and I have two current ones. A new one probably wouldn't even be back before the end of my assignment, so I think that they are being awkward and have someone else they want to give work to.

So... AIBU to not pay for yet another check from the agency?

It's crazy isn't it? My enhanced check for the school where I work is not valid for voluntary work at my son's school as it is in a different authority.

My friend was working for one NHS trust but wanted to do voluntary experience in another, she had to get another (CRB then) check!

I think they should have got you to do a new one when you went to work there in the first place. I wouldn't bother, well, unless they are prepared to continue to give you work until you leave if you do and not if you don't.

I thought the new DBS checks were meant to be more portable. Clearly the system is not working, or maybe some organisations are taking advantage (though I doubt they make much money on processing the check).

Not sure what you can do about it though, agency I suspect does not have to give you work so could simply not tell you about jobs.

The portable/online check system only comes in later this month (any chance you can wait until then?) You have to pay £14 pa to use it but then any employer/agency can check it for similar levels of job (and it's free for volunteers)

It really is bonkers!

nannynick - I was under the impression that this new check was portable too! I guess they were as well as they didn't require me to do an additional one.

MammaTJ - I think you're right. They should have got me to do a new one at the time.

The thing is, I've got work from them until the end of term at the school and then in September I'm there as a permanent member of staff. I think I'm just going to speak to the school and see if they can do me a DBS on Monday to avoid doing one at the agency.

Of course I'm happy to be checked, I just don't want to keep paying! Lets hope the system Allan has mentioned works a bit better! It would be sad if it puts people off volunteering.

Just a thought, but if you are working at the same school until the end of term and then taking a perm position with the same school, it's unlikely the agency will pull you from that roll. How long is it until end of term? It may be that they've had a recent audit and need to have everything up to date.

On the subject of timesheets, I worked for an agency and timesheet day is manic. Always try and call and check it's received before the cut off to make sure you get paid on time. If you have spoken to someone and confirmed its arrived but not been paid then you can push for a midweek BACS payment. It costs the agency money to do this so it must be the agency's fault before they will consider it.

I would stress that it's a good idea to keep the agency sweet. You never know what will happen. The fee argument is between the agency and school and they shouldn't be dragging you into it.

Good advice, Hairy! I will definitely call to check they have it.

There's five and a half weeks left so I really hope they don't pull me from it. I've been polite and explained my reasons for not sending them the money and the documents and as of yet I've not had a response so I guess I'll just have to wait and see what they say!

The bastards have deducted it from my pay anyway!!!! Oooooh annoyed!

The new DBS Update Service comes into effect on 17 June. Anyone who applies for a DBS check after this date will have the option to pay £13.00 per year to join their update service. This means that there will be no charge for any future DBS checks - your new employers will just be able to check online that your status is still clear. Unfortunately you cannot sign up to the Update Service with your existing DBS check, it's only for new ones applied for after 17 June.

Ooops, sorry. Realise this info is a bit late now.

Thanks Grendal. At least it won't be a problem in future! I hope...

Depends what your contract with them says, but they aren't allowed to make unauthorised deductions of your salary:

www.gov.uk/understanding-your-pay/deductions-from-your-pay