DBS Decision Maker (Chelmsford)

Location of Role: Chelmsford 

Advert Closing Date: 03/06/2024 

Starting Salary: £27,789.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time: Full Time and Part Time Hours Available 

Contract Type: Permanent 

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri 

Weekend/Evening Working: No 

An exciting opportunity has arisen to undertake the role of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Decision Maker. The DBS team typology is currently ‘Home-based agile’, meaning that Decision Makers, once fully trained, have the option to work 80% from home and 20% from the Essex Police estate (most commonly Chelmsford Police Station). Please note that on occasion, some additional office-based work, which may fall outside the parameters of the team typology, may be required. For example, training will be undertaken face to face from the police estate. We cannot provide a definitive time frame as to how long initial training will take; this will be subject of on-going assessment whilst training and considered on an individual basis.

The DBS Unit undertake searches against Essex Police data on applicants who wish to work and/or volunteer with children and/or adults on a largely unsupervised basis within regulated activity.

This is a challenging role that requires the successful candidate to work both independently and as part of a larger team whilst maintaining consistent levels of attention to detail, and the ability to form good working relationships with their colleagues and line manager.

Within the role you will be interrogating a number of Essex Police databases and the Police National Computer (PNC), in order to acquire all relevant information held on the applicant (and on occasion those connected to the applicant) whilst following the DBS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) process. You will then use the information you have gathered to reach appropriate safeguarding decisions. Where you determine the information held by Essex Police is not a safeguarding concern you will complete the application, however, where you identify that the information held is of relevance to safeguarding you will make your recommendations for disclosure to your line manager. Where you are recommending the disclosure of force held information, you will also be integral in drafting the disclosure text, which will appear on the applicant’s DBS Certificate.

Please note, the primary function of this position is the safeguarding of children and the vulnerable and the role will require you to read and consider information including crime files pertaining to investigations (both closed and current) which will include sexual abuse, child protection and assault offences, where the victims may be children and/or vulnerable adults.

In addition, whilst the quality of the work you undertake will take precedence, you will also be working within a target driven environment. Decision Makers must strive to meet the Service Level Agreements that are in place with the DBS, as well as the departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to ensure that we are progressing all DBS applications within a timely manner.

What We Are Looking For

At shortlisting we will be looking for evidence of:

• Strong IT proficiency and ability to learn new systems quickly and effectively.
• Working with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Any previous experience of gathering information and your ability to analytically review material in order to make informed decisions.
• Working within a target driven environment. Demonstrating your accountability of your own work and to be able to prioritise and manage your workload accordingly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as you will be required to provide rationale to support the decisions you make and will be integral in drafting disclosure text.

In addition, it would be helpful if you could evidence:

• Recent experience of using a computer/laptop and Microsoft Office products i.e., Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Outlook.
• A basic knowledge of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the role of the DBS in safeguarding the vulnerable.
• Your ability to problem solve, evidencing your ability to work in an open-minded and innovative way bringing solutions to problems you face.

Our Location

We work in a hot-desking office environment within Chelmsford Police Station, with the DBS team currently consisting of over 60 members of staff. There may also be occasions where you are required to attend Essex Police HQ as opposed to Chelmsford Police Station. Both have good road networks and transport links. Essex Police HQ houses many of the Forces lead departments as well as being home to the Essex Police Training College where the Forces new recruits are trained. Both locations will offer staff rooms and inside and outside rest areas. Please note that Essex Police HQ offers free but limited parking on a first come first served basis. No parking is offered at Chelmsford Police station.

What We Offer in Return

• Discounts at a variety of shops and restaurants
• Discounted excursions via our Sports and Social Association
• 23 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part time) increasing with service.
• A flexible workforce: this position may be suitable for part time working, subject to continuity and resourcing being achieved.
• Unique working environment supporting the delivery of policing services in the County.
• Enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Ongoing training, development, and promotion opportunities
• On-site gym facilities at Essex Police HQ
• Access to Health Services via our in-house Occupation Health and Welfare Teams
• Free parking at the majority of our sites, however there will be an expectation to make your own parking arrangements if attending the hot desking area at Chelmsford Police Station

For further information about the role please contact DBS Assistant Manager’s Zoë Stow Zoe.Stow@essex.police.uk or Rebecca Langham, (Essex DBS Unit) Rebecca.Langham@essex.police.uk

Essex Police offer incremental increases within this salary band, therefore the salary for this position will rise to a maximum of £29,874.00.

For the full job description please click here. 

Your application is shortlisted on the content provided within the 'reason for application' section, which is limited to 9000 characters. Within your answer please refer to the criteria stated in this job advert and include any experience, skills and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for the role. Please ensure you provide as much detail as possible as insufficient information may mean that you do not meet the shortlisting criteria. 

All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance.  During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete. 

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833.

Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

This post is open to:

• British Citizens
• Members of a European Economic Area (EEA) state who hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.  
• Commonwealth citizens or foreign nationals (who are not British citizens or European Economic Area (EEA) state members) who have leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period that is free from restrictions.

All applicants (except those who have been serving abroad with the British Armed Forces) must have lived in the UK continuously for the past three years.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.