How to do DBS check for new nanny

[brushlaptop]

Hi,

We have a new nanny starting and need to do a DBS check for her. I've tried to work out how to do this on the government website but it says something about finding an umbrella company to apply under. Can I literally select any company then contact them and say can I DBS check my nanny under your name?! Sounds a little odd?!

You contact one of the organisations and ask them to do a check. Make sure you choose one that is registered with DBS. There is a list on the GOV website IIRC.

Thank you!
Will they find it a bit odd though? They don't know me and I will just completely randomly contact them out of the blue and say hi can I use your company to run a DBS check?

Hi - Most of the companies do the check on your behalf, but it's not that they go and look at someone's records and talk only with you. The person being checked has to consent, so most of the companies will for your reasons and ask you to register so that you can pay the fee and get the result, but the process will involve a form being sent to the person being checked so that they can consent to it being completed. There are guidelines on legitimate reasons for competing the checks, so it's not like any random person can ask for a check on anyone else (which I think is what you're thinking might be the case?)

Have you seen the DBS check in person? As a nanny that's all I've ever needed to prove anything, never had a family do a search. Only people who've ever checked it was Ofsted (as I'm registered, and having a DBS is required for that)

Or have I misunderstood? Do you mean check the Nanny's DBS, or to pay to have one done? I thought it was the former, but now thinking it may be the latter

Try following this:

www.childcare.co.uk/information/obtaining-a-dbs-check-for-nannies#:~:text=Can%20a%20parent%20obtain%20a,DBS%20check%20via%20an%20organisation.

OP I would be asking Nanny to apply for a new DBS certificate just to be on the safe side.

Thank you! She is polish and has just come over the the uk, she has polish DBS but not the UK one so needs to do this

Does she need one? If you are prepared to accept the check she has from Poland and you are not accessing any of the childcare schemes (tax free childcare, Universal Credit for example) then she does not need a check done.

A check done now won't tell you anything the Polish check does not tell you, as there is no UK data to add to it.

If she needs a check for Ofsted registration purposes then going via Ofsted/Capita is something that can be done but she will need to have certified translation of the Polish check (google: DBS Overseas guidance).

How can she legally work in the U.K. if she’s Polish and only just arrived OP?

I would go via Ofsted/Capita. Alternatively, many nanny agencies will do this for you, check the ones in your area.

@underneaththeash

How can she legally work in the U.K. if she’s Polish and only just arrived OP?

@underneaththeash she probably has a visa? Not the point of this post

@underneaththeash FYI: listed under the code 6122, nannies are classed as skilled workers and eligible for a visa. It took a less than 5 minutes on google to find this info

Forgot to include the link www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes

Thanks all! We want her to be Ofsted registered and she needs an enhanced DBS for this. She's happy to have it done but it looks like I need to do it on her behalf

@brushlaptop I was asking as a friend failed to get a visa for her nanny recently as she wasn’t an approved U.K. employer (you have to be approved by the home office and it’s very difficult for private employers to become approved - apparently). I’ll try and find a link too.

www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job

Thank you @underneaththeash she has a visa already :)

OP - the issue is that she can't change employers with that type of VISA, it's linked to an particular (approved) employer.

I'll shut up now, but I really wouldn't go down the route of getting her registered without more checks. You can get a fine of up to £20,000 if you haven't made the right checks.

@underneaththeash thanks, but she is married to an English man and has a visa.

Not what I was asking in this thread but thanks for the advice 😂

If you're getting her Ofsted registered definitely do the DBS through Ofsted/Capita. It makes no sense to get another company involved.

@NuffSaidSam I agree, thank you x