Do I Need a DBS Check to Work with Animals?
Many people are aware that if you want to work with children or vulnerable adults then you would need an Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List, to ensure that nothing in your past criminal history check, shows that you are unsuited to work with children or vulnerable adults due to violence, abuse, or sexual criminal history. But many people are unaware if you require a DBS Check to work with animals. There are several reasons why having a DBS to work with animals would make good sense; after all, they have no voice to speak for themselves which can make them vulnerable.
Why Might You Need a Basic DBS Check to Work with Animals?
If you decide to have a career, or part-time job as a pet-sitter, whilst you’re not legally required to have a DBS, it could give prospective pet owners reassurance that you don’t have any criminal records, and therefore are trustworthy to be in their house, or to look after their beloved pets. You can apply for a Basic DBS yourself.
Why Might You Need a Standard DBS Check to Work with Animals?
If you are training to become a veterinarian, once you have qualified and are ready to take up a job in a veterinary surgery, you will need a Standard DBS Check. Your new employer will apply for this on your behalf. You will require this, because of the level of trust that people are placing in you, to care for their animals which many will treat like a family member. The Standard DBS Check is necessary to ensure that you don’t have anything on a past criminal history that relates to you working with animals.
Why Might You Need an Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List to Work with Animals?
If you work with therapy animals, this could be training and providing animals to support people with disabilities, such as guide dogs or therapy dogs. Or it could be taking pets into a hospital or care-home setting to provide some joy and interaction to the patients there. You would need an Enhanced DBS Check for these roles because you may interact with children or vulnerable adults. If you interact directly with them you would need to be checked with the Barred List too, as you would be carrying out ‘regulated activity.’ To differentiate here, if you look after a horse that is sometimes used for riding lessons for children, you may only need a Basic DBS Check. But, if you are the person who teaches children how to ride the horse, then you would need an Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List because you’re more directly encountering children.
Dog walkers don’t typically require a DBS Check, but like the pet sitting scenario, it could be beneficial and go in your favour to let people know that you have a Basic DBS, so that they are reassured and know you are trustworthy to walk their dog. If you intend to become a vet, you will need a Standard DBS Check. If you have a job with animals, that brings you into close contact with children, where you’re teaching or assisting them, you will need and Enhanced DBS Check with Barred List.
