Tales of an HR Consultancy Expert – Day 25: Check the DBS number!

When you employ a new person, it is important to check references. All you are looking for is confirmation that they really did work for that company as stated on their CV. More than that is unrealistic to expect nowadays. But what else do you need to have?

In addition to the usual references, sometimes you need a DBS check. Some of our clients work with children and vulnerable adults. As a condition of their employment they have to have a CRB check, which is now called a DBS check. There is a scheme where the individual can have their own reference number to take round with them to give to new employers.
Our client employed Mrs A and received her DBS number from her as well as two references. They did not check them. Now, a year later, with performance issues raising their ugly head, they have gone back to the DBS number and referees and had a nasty shock. The DBS number is not registered to Mrs A, and the referees say they have never heard of her!
We are therefore asking her to provide the correct DBS number within the next 24 hours or we would be taking further steps.
What further steps? First would be an investigatory meeting to see what reason she can come up with for not having given us the correct number AND why she couldn’t give us the correct number now. Let alone the referees’ reaction when asked about her.
Once we had heard her version of events, we would have the option of a gross misconduct disciplinary, which could lead to her dismissal. Things are still developing so I will let you know how it ends!

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