Do Security Guards Need a DBS Check? Amy Smith, November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 Do Security Guards Need a DBS Check? Image Source: Freepik Whether you’re considering working as a security guard or you need to hire one, you’ll likely be concerned about some of the regulations that apply to the industry. In most cases, security guards in the UK do need a DBS check; in this article, we take a look at the main body that regulates bodyguards – the SIA – and some of the DBS-related concerns you need to be aware of when it comes to working as or hiring a security guard. The SIA In the UK, most security guards are regulated by the SIA (Security Industry Authority). According to rules set by the SIA, all security guards need to have passed at least a standard DBS check in order to work as security guards. These checks will typically need to be conducted through a registered body such as Personnel Checks. This is to ensure that they’re suitable to hold the role, meeting a range of different standards when it comes to professionalism and reliability in making difficult decisions. Why do security guards need DBS checks? There are quite a few reasons why security guards need DBS checks, a few of which we detail below. The safety of the public One of the main reasons security guards need to undergo background checks is to increase the security of the public. Security guards are, in certain circumstances, authorised to use force to ensure that people don’t come to harm. It’s important that the public is able to trust these individuals, minimising the probability that people who are given these relative positions of power don’t have ulterior criminal motives in mind. These checks are therefore essential to the ongoing viability of the industry in general. Vulnerable information and individuals In many cases, security guards might come into contact with sensitive information and vulnerable individuals who need protection. DBS checks play a part in the process of ensuring that the security guard in question is appropriate for this kind of role, and can be trusted. While criminal background checks aren’t a surefire way of assessing someone’s character, they’re an effective way of finding out if a candidate has lied about their official criminal record. Regulatory compliance The security guard industry is tightly regulated, as a result of the reasons outlined above. Security guard companies need to show that they’re taking active measures to ensure their employees operate to the highest of professional standards, with DBS checks playing a key role in achieving regulatory compliance. If an incident were to occur, both the security guard in question and their employer will often need to be able to show that they conducted their due diligence and operated within the relevant legal structures. As you can see, having a standard DBS check carried out is an important step in the process of becoming a security guard. It’s a requirement according to the SIA, and its importance shouldn’t be overlooked. Background checks help to ensure that security guards operate at a high standard, ensuring public trust that enables guards to do their jobs. Share on FacebookTweetFollow usSave Business