DBS for Ukrainian hosts
Every day we are seeing the carnage and destruction in the ongoing Ukraine conflict due to the invasion by the Russians. This has led to millions of Ukrainians getting displaced from their own towns and cities and leaving them as refugees. The UK has decided to take in a large number of these refugees from the Ukraine with many families and households across the UK more than happy to play host. As a result, at the very beginning of the conflict the Homes for Ukraine plan was launched on March 18, 2022. According to this scheme individuals or families will be lodged in the homes of UK residents that are willing to host them.
DBS for families hosting refugees
After the Home for Ukraine scheme was announced it was clarified that DBS checks would play a crucial role in this arrangement. Any individual or family wanting to participate in the scheme must submit themselves for a DBS Check. This is to ensure that no unscrupulous individuals with a past criminal conviction become part of the scheme and jeopardise the safety of the refugees from Ukraine. For this the DBS disclosure reviews have become an integral part of the scheme. It has helped to ensure that families and individuals that arrive from Ukraine are safe upon arrival in the UK.
Kinds of DBS checks needed
It is the local authorities that in consultation with the family or individuals to host that will determine the kind of DBS check needed to filled out to complete the application. Generally, the lost commonly asked for are Basic and Enhanced DBS Checks for the majority of individuals and families that will serve as hosts to the Ukrainian refugees.
Basic DBS Check
Like the name indicates these are the very basic criminal checks of individuals present in the UK databases. A basic DBS check shows any cautions and unspent convictions as instructed by the ROA
(Rehabilitation of Offenders Act) 1974. This check is required for every household member of a family (above 16) that has offered their sponsorship to host adult refugees from Ukraine.
Enhanced DBS/CRB Check
This type of check is only used for those applicants that have offered to take care of vulnerable adults or children as an Enhanced Check offers a detailed disclosure of all kinds of information that forms part of the criminal record of any individual. It will consist of warnings, reprimands, cautions and unspent and spent convictions with also a Barred List check (if need be). All individuals that are above the age of 16 and form part of a family that has offered sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees could be subjected to an Enhanced DBS/CRB check. This is generally recommended if the refugee family has vulnerable adults that need extra support or children below the age of 18 that will be living with the host family.
Payment for the DBS Checks
Before the Home for Ukraine scheme was launched by the UK government, a large number of DBS checks were completed for those looking to fill up vacant job positions. In these cases, the employers or the individuals requesting for the check need to submit the details and make the payments (it was subject to the level of checks).
After this scheme has been launched, if any individual wants to participate in it, their cost will be borne by the local council of their area. Its objective is to make the scheme more feasible for most households and families to help in the sponsorship of refugees that are escaping the conflict back home.
How can a sponsor get DBS clearance?
Any UK citizen or family that is keen to assist in the sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees, can get in touch with their local councils, that will take you through the steps of applying for an Enhanced DBS check in detail.
