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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a DBS check is not 100% guarantee?

121 replies

PurplePenguins · 04/04/2018 20:06

Just a general discussion between 4 of us. All of us have children but I work with vulnerable children (which maybe clouding my judgement) while the other three are office bods. I agree with DBS checks, they prevent those convicted of offences such as child abuse, violence and fraud working with vulnerable people. I have had numerous DBS checks over the course of my career, but I feel there is always a chance that someone unsuitable could get through as they have never been caught. 2 of my friends disagree. They feel that DBS means that you are not that sort of person at all. The other friend is of the opinion that it is possible, but highly unlikely. AIBU or are they?

OP posts:
MorningsEleven · 04/04/2018 20:07

Of course they're not infallible. It just means you've never been caught.

nancy75 · 04/04/2018 20:08

A DBS proves nothing other than you haven’t been caught doing something.

Allice · 04/04/2018 20:08

It's better than nothing I guess but ultimately it might just mean you've never been caught.

I agree with you.

user5292769 · 04/04/2018 20:08

I remember reading a very interesting argument that DBS checking can actually mean people are more vulnerable because once you have "passed" the check the guard of others is down as they feel that people have been vetted so without theyd be more likely to rely on intuition that something was up if you see what I mean.

FittonTower · 04/04/2018 20:09

You're right. DBS only checks stuff the police etc are aware of. Obviously some people will "pass" then go on to commit a crime - that's why you have to have them re-done.
Its not a guarantee that a person is no risk to vulnerable people, it's just one part of safeguarding.

Dungeondragon15 · 04/04/2018 20:09

Of course you are right. As history shows, it can take years for someone to be convicted of child abuse and other offences so inevitably there will be people who "pass" because they haven't yet been caught.

ShowOfHands · 04/04/2018 20:09

It means you've never been caught or were caught after your last DBS.

FancyNewBeesly · 04/04/2018 20:10

Of course. I was abused as a child, and raped / assaulted as an adult. None of the people responsible have ever been arrested for these crimes as far as I’m aware, let alone convicted. I had a terrifying experience a few years ago with a moving man who basically threatened me and put me in great physical danger - the police made him write me an apology letter and that was it, and he told them he was scared of a conviction because he volunteers with kids!

boatyardblues · 04/04/2018 20:10

A DBS check is no substitute for effective safeguarding practices and vigilance. A clear disclosure may just mean the person has gone undetected in the past, as others have noted.

Devilishpyjamas · 04/04/2018 20:10

Does it mean you haven’t been caught or you haven’t been convicted. Two people working with my severely disabled son have been sacked after punching him. The police investigated both cases and they were both sacked but I have no idea whether it would show up on a DBS. Was given conflicting information.

Pengggwn · 04/04/2018 20:11

Obviously a DBS only shows up convictions and arrests, not your every action or potential action. So you're clearly correct.

Hassled · 04/04/2018 20:11

A DBS is just a snapshot - at the time the DBS check took place, there wasn't and hadn't ever been evidence of anything untoward. You're right that it's not fail-safe but it's as good as you're ever going to get.

Original poster
PurplePenguins · 04/04/2018 20:12

I get that user529. That is how my friends seem to be. They are DBS checked and vetted so they are OK. I'm more they are probably OK but I'm still wary. If that makes sense 😊

OP posts:
Ledehe · 04/04/2018 20:14

A DBS check only flags up if you have anything on your record. So you are right, people will fall through the cracks

PumpkinPie2016 · 04/04/2018 20:14

YANBU - all a clear DBS proves is that someone hasn't been caught doing anything they shouldn't be.

Better than nothing and I suppose we just have to ensure the best safeguarding practices possible. Not much else can be done or else no one would ever be employed to work with the vulnerable just in case they had/might do something wrong.

Original poster
PurplePenguins · 04/04/2018 20:15

Fancy that's awful. Just A letter of apology is disgusting

OP posts:
BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 04/04/2018 20:16

A DBS check only proves you haven't been caught! I have “enhanced DBS clearance” - this does not mean I’ve been assessed to find out if I secretly lust after children (I don’t) or think children should be punished with flogging (my kids can be pretty naughty though.....)

It is, however, better than nothing. I also have to something extra called “disclosure by association” where adults in my household (including staff apparently) have a very basic check just in case they may influence me into gaining access to children for them...... all my adults are clean and I have no staff....

Helmetbymidnight · 04/04/2018 20:17

Your friends are really dim. This is basic stuff- how could they not understand this?

DarkDarkNight · 04/04/2018 20:18

Of course it's not, you're right. Anybody will pass a DBS check up until the point they're caught committing a crime. They could have a long history of criminal behaviour without ever having been caught.

YourWanMajella · 04/04/2018 20:18

It's not even a 1% guarantee. Anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot who should not be in charge of children in any way.

Tistheseason17 · 04/04/2018 20:20

I always Google new staff as well as DBS check.
Also, strong policies at work that support safeguarding, openness and whistleblowing.

Thistlebelle · 04/04/2018 20:21

They feel that DBS means that you are not that sort of person at all

Given that they’ve been through the process themselves how can they possibly believe this?

It’s a records check that’s all.

tarheelbaby · 04/04/2018 20:29

I have never had much use for CRB (as it used to be spelled) or DBS. It seems like a good idea but the implementation makes it a joke.

Potentially it discourages those who have already had a brush with the law but sometimes not even that.

It was a few years ago now but go back and read about Holly & Jessica. The most dangerous person in their lives passed the CRB and their murderer, although working at a(nother) school, was not screened because his role was not 'child-facing'.

I have been checked many times for multiple settings but CRB/DBS screening has never attempted to check my records abroad. I could have done all kinds of mischief across the planet but would still have been cleared.

boatyardblues · 04/04/2018 20:33

Yeah, its crap re: overseas criminal records - you’re left to your own devices to track down info for any overseas gaps as someone using the process to vet staff or volunteers. Seems like a huge potential loophole.

RavenLG · 04/04/2018 20:33

I agree OP. They are out of date from the moment they are printed and not worth the paper they are printed on (and the ridiculous wait time either!).

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