To work for the RSPCA, you will need to take a DBS check if your work will involve a level of responsibility for the humane killing of animals.

A DBS check is a statutory background check for those working in public-facing roles, conducted by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

A DBS check for an employee of the RSPCA is a standard DBS check. This type of CRB check involves a search to verify if you have any unspent or spent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings in existence on the Police National Computer.

Why do I need a DBS check?

DBS checks exist to keep the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults, safe. In 1974, the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act made it a legal requirement for a wide range of frontline roles across the UK to involve a DBS check as part of their vetting process.

The move was considered necessary to provide robust safeguarding measures for employers to follow.

All UK jobs which include a degree of contact with the public are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Those who engage in the closest contact with the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults, are subject to the highest level of CRB check.

What is a DBS certificate?

A standard DBS check for a RSPCA employee is a mid-level check. Once your DBS check is complete, you will be sent your DBS certificate in the post. The certificate will list any records found.

If no records are found during the criminal record search, the fields for each search conducted will be left blank. You will also have access to a second copy of your certificate which is available online.

This certificate will need to be shown to your employer to complete the recruitment process.

Standard DBS checks can only be requested by your employer. For further information about DBS checks and the law, visit: hub.unlock.org. More..