Bedfordshire Police sixth quickest force to pass DBS checks

Residents could potentially lose out on a role if their local police force takes too long to pass their check.

According to uCheck, who carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, a contract or job offer could be terminated if an employer is not able to work due to not having a valid DBS check.

The new information reveals just how long a DBS check – a criminal police check that is mandatory for people wishing to work with children or vulnerable adults – takes to be processed across the UK.

On average, Bedfordshire Police take 4.2 days to complete an indivdual DBS check, however over the boarder in Buckinghamshire, it takes Thames Valley Police on average 22.6 days.

A spokesperson from TMX Healthcare Ltd, said: “Long delays with DBS clearance have caused issues with our members of staff who are already employed and need their DBS checks renewed.

“We are finding employees needing a new DBS check are taking the proper measures and applying for their renewal three months in advance of expiry, only to wait for nine months for their new check to come through – this leaves the company to have to terminate or suspend their role.

“The process is costing our business vast amounts of money while we fill their role temporarily or on occasion permanently.”

Nurses or childcare workers looking for a role in Dorset or North Yorkshire also have the right to be concerned, with Dorset Police taking 58 days to complete DBS checks and North Yorkshire Police taking 28 days.