To be shocked I won't be DBS checked?

[Newjob12345]

I've just started a new job working in a children's soft play, was fully expecting to be police checked as obviously I'll be around children every day.
They do not do this anymore as there is no need, we'll never be alone with children so it's ok
Also a leisure centre attached where apparently the lifeguards aren't checked either, even though they are in and out of the changing room.

I'm really shocked tbh but not sure what I can do. Is this normal these days?

I would be interested to know who to report lack of DBS checks to, as I work in a library and as a result of cuts, no checks are done on staff or volunteers. We work with children, and volunteers have already been let go for inappropriate behaviour (not with children, but we feel it's a ticking time bomb).
Managers and unions don't seem to take our concerns seriously.

Yes I can see where the lines get blurred lljkk.

This actually means anyone could be a convicted paedophile and no one would ever know because your employer failed to check. Fuck that.

Who works there obviously

Technically speaking, you don't have to be DBS cleared if the area is supervised and you are not alone. However, what would happen if that supervisor had to leave for an emergency?

But in the soft play scenario, the "supervisor" is the parent. If a parent has to leave the soft play in an emergency, their child goes too. When I used to help out at preschool and wasn't DBS checked, if the paid member of staff needed the loo or something someone else had to come before they left the room.

Madbum - if the law says that people working in soft play don't need DBS checks the employer can't overrule that. It's not up to them to decide.

I'm guessing that parents are expected to stay, and are responsible for their DCs at all times. Also that your job is just to prevent accidents and deal with any that occur, engaging the parents where anything needs more than a couple of words to the general group of kids? Is that correct?
This is v different from a school or nursery, where kids are dropped off and left in the care of the staff, and this may be why you're being told it isn't needed, but I still wouldn't want staff in such a setting with a record of inappropriate behaviour around children :-/.

You should be DBS checked but slot of soft play places seem to be lax with this. 17 year old DS worked at one in the holidays and wasn't checked.

A friend of mine worked in our local kids soft play for a while and she wasn't DBS checked, I dont think they are legally obliged to have workers checked as you are responsible for your own children and there are normally signs up to remind you to supervise.

It's a pretty pointless check anyway. It only filters out a few convicted people, not the ones who haven't been caught or people who have been caught overseas.

It's soft play, you are responsible for the children you take. The same as when you take them to the zoo, the theme park or into a shop.

DBS checks are for adults doing parental type jobs, not for every adult who is near a child with their parents.

When I say parental type jobs I mean supervising children, washing them, helping them dress, helping them with anything that may require touching them (e.g. Sports coaches) looking after their emotional wellbeing, disciplining them etc.

Children in a soft play are not making any kind of relationship with the adults there, and the adults are not directly responsible for the children. If there was a discipline issue or an upset child then you would expect the parent to deal with it.

At a trampoline park in our area staff aren't DSB checked.
I know this as a member of staff got locked up and since charged for sexual assult. I was in talks with management about it and they said as staff 'aren't alone' with children and they are their parents responsibility its not needed.

DBS!!!

Just phoned my gym and the staff there said as far as they know staff and lifeguards working around children don't have a DBS check. If it is direct contact then yes. Surprising.

I'm just shocked that convicted paedophiles can quite easily get a job in a play centre because they'll have no fear of being checked out, regardless of if parents are there or not they will still have access to children unless parents are 100% with their children the whole time which in my experience is not the case in these places, it's made me think twice about taking my baby to one for sure.

Soft play areas have nothing to do with Ofsted and you don't need the check to work at a soft play area, why would you?
kids are accompanied by adults and the person on duty is not responsible for the children, the parents are.
They aren't in loco parentis and not on their own with children.

You may be eligible for an enhanced dbs, but in this situation it would be up to your employer to decide according to their safeguarding policy. If you were in regulated activity then the employer must do an enhanced check with barred list. If you are not caring for children unsupervised then you are unlikely to be in regulated activity.
You cannot apply for your own dbs as a pp said. A dbs can only be done by an employer/organisation/agency.
The is a LOT of misunderstanding and miscommunication regarding dbs checks. In the official guidance for dbs checks in schools (keeping children safe in education) there is a contradiction as to whether contractors are eligible for the barred list, so it's no wonder people get confused!

Playing devil's advocate would you expect any employee at any a place aimed at children to be dbs checked? Theme parks for example?
I guess a soft play is just an indoor play area where parents are supposed to be supervising their children, not the employees, therefore no need for a dbs.

I think ROSPA is the place to enquire

www.rospa.com/play-safety/services/advice/indoor-soft-play/

another thread about this www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_matters/956136-Soft-play-governance-amp-regulations

I work for a charity that does a lot of careers work with kids - I take them on visits to large employers, to educational fairs etc, and I've never been dBS checked, nor has any school or parent I work with asked me if I am.

I'm never alone with the girls as their parents or teachers accompany them, though potentially I could be, and all are 11-18. Never questioned the legal ramifications, but sure it wouldn't go down well if we publicised it.

last comment on that thread
There is a Play Providers Association (website here) which has a code of practise for its members. Amongst other things, this insists that all management and permanent staff members must have a CRB clearance within 3 months.

www.playproviders.org.uk/

I am starting a new job in a hospital soon, clerical so no direct contact with patients but assumed I would be background checked as standard. Nope. Bit worrying tbh.