Tending to the bones, muscles and joints of their patients, chiropractors are subject to statutory background checks because they work in close proximity to the public.

DBS checks are statutory, nationwide criminal record checks carried out by the Disclosure and Barring service. The purpose of DBS checks are to safeguard the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults.

If your work involves close and unsupervised engagement with the public, you can expect to undergo the strongest type of CRB check. This level of vetting is necessary to ensure vulnerable members of society are properly protected from harm.

DBS checks of this nature came into force with the introduction of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act in 1974.

A DBS check for a chiropractor will be an enhanced DBS check with barred lists. This thorough search will involve the DBS checking for any unspent or spent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings.

The DBS will also verify whether there is any other non-conviction information in existence with relevant police forces and if there are any entries in the children’s and/ or the vulnerable adults barred lists.

Once complete, any information found will be displayed on the DBS certificate. If no records are found, the certificate will be blank.

Both the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) require registrants to declare all convictions and cautions in line with the expectations set out by the DBS.

To find out more about enhanced DBS checks or the DBS, visit the Disclosure and Barring Service today or browse our home page.