Can you start work before receiving a DBS Check?

If you will be working in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, it is against the law for your

employer to employ someone who is barred from working with these groups.

To avoid risk to the organisation and the vulnerable groups it works with, you should not be permitted

by your employer to start work before receiving a DBS Check.

Employers providing care services for adults can make use of a service called DBS Adult First if they

wish the applicant to start working sooner, under supervision. This check can only be completed if the

applicant is in a regulated activity with vulnerable adults.

On uCheck’s platform, employers can request an Adult First Check either at the time of submitting an

application or later if the application process takes longer than expected. Results are typically returned

within 24 hours but may take up to three working days. Once a result is available, a note is automatically

added to the application, informing employers whether:

• No Match - The applicant can start work under supervision,

• Please Wait - They must wait for the full DBS certificate before starting work, or

• Certificate Issued - The full DBS certificate was issued before the Adult First Check could

be completed.

If the result is “Please wait” it does not necessarily mean the applicant is barred from working with

adults. However, you must wait until the full DBS certificate has been issued.