If you employ or use a Personal Assistant, it is important to make sure they have an enhanced DBS check.
A DBS check helps you make safer recruitment decisions. It gives information about someone’s criminal record history, where this is relevant to the role.
If your PA has worked with you for a long time
If your Personal Assistant has worked with you for a long time, it is a good idea to check when their last enhanced DBS check was completed.
KCIL recommends that Personal Assistants have a new enhanced DBS check at least every 3 years.
If your PA works with children or young people, we recommend that this is done more frequently.
If your PA is employed through PAYE
If your Personal Assistant is PAYE and supports an adult who receives Direct Payments from Kingston or Croydon Council, KCIL can carry out an enhanced DBS check.
Please contact us if you need support with this.
If you are in Sutton and your PA is PAYE please contact the Direct Payment team at Sutton Council.
If your Personal Assistant is PAYE and supports a child or young person who receives Direct Payments from Achieving for Children in Kingston or Richmond, KCIL can refer the PA to Achieving for Children for an enhanced DBS check.
If your PA is self-employed
If your Personal Assistant is self-employed, it is their responsibility to arrange an enhanced DBS check for themselves.
However, as the person using their services, you still need to check that they have an enhanced DBS check.
You can do this by:
Asking to see their DBS certificate
Checking the date on the certificate
Checking that it is an enhanced DBS certificate
Asking whether they are signed up to the DBS Update Service
If your PA uses the DBS Update Service, you can ask them to give you permission to check their DBS status online.
Why this matters
DBS checks are an important part of keeping people safe.
They are not the only thing you should do when choosing or employing a PA, but they are an important safeguard.
You should also think about references, interviews, supervision, and whether the PA is suitable for the support you need.
Need help?
If you are not sure whether your PA needs a new enhanced DBS check, or you need help arranging one, please contact KCIL.
We can explain what support is available depending on:
Whether your PA is PAYE or self-employed
Whether they support an adult, child or young person
Which council provides the Direct Payment
