As a Locksmith Do I Need a DBS Check?
When you consider occupations that need a DBS Check you may think about teachers, medical staff, foster carers and accountants, people with responsibility for children, vulnerable people, and a job that involves dealing with people’s money. But, for a locksmith too, having a DBS Check can be enormously useful. This article will explain why in greater detail.
Membership of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA)
If you want to register yourself as a member of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA) which is a good reputable organisation to be associated with, then it is necessary to have a DBS Check. Membership to this organisation offers you various benefits as a self-employed locksmith, such as discounts on trade parts, an ID card registered to MLA which can offer reassurance to members of the public requiring your assistance, and discounted vehicles.
Enhanced DBS Needed for Working with Children or Vulnerable People
If in your locksmith duties, you are likely to work near children or vulnerable adults, then you would require an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List. If your locksmith job has you working at a school, a children’s home, a hospital, a nursing home, assisted living accommodation for vulnerable adults etc, then you may need an Enhanced DBS, which will need to be applied for on your behalf, via the institution you will be working at. This is to ensure that you do not appear on any Barred Lists, with past behaviour that shows you are not suited to work with children or vulnerable adults, due to violent or abusive behaviour. Organisations will want to ensure that everyone working in their premises are as safe as possible to mitigate risk to their customers, patients, pupils, other staff, and the reputation of their business.
Other Benefits to you Having a DBS Check as a Locksmith
- More Business
Having a DBS Check may mean that people are more likely to ask you to do locksmith work for them. It will enhance people’s perception of your business as one that is professional having this verification. If other businesses do not have DBS Checks your business will stand out over theirs, and people will be more likely to request your services.
- Perceived as Trustworthy
Being a locksmith is a role with great responsibility where you will be entering homes or businesses, and it’s essential that your customers trust you to do this role. Having a DBS certificate shows that you do not have a past criminal history that makes you unsuited to this job role.
- Longer Contracts
Some locksmith jobs may require you to work for a week on a site, or four days in the same month, or overnight. If your job role includes this, then you will require a DBS. If you already had one, this may speed up you being employed for this type of work.
You can certainly apply for a Basic DBS Check yourself; but if an organisation requires you to have a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check, they will need to apply for this on your behalf, and it is well worth having to help your locksmith career.
