Don’t waste time waiting – trust uCheck for speedy screening checks

Many people who work in the care sector are in direct contact with ‘vulnerable’ people – meaning employees are eligible for Enhanced DBS checks with a Barred Lists check. This is the highest level of background check commonly available.

Unfortunately, due to the intensity of the screening process, an Enhanced with Barred Lists check also has the longest waiting time.

In an industry with an estimated turnover rate of around 25%, employers can’t afford to wait up to six weeks or more to get their background checks returned. That’s why the experts over at uCheck have joined us to go over their solutions, and how they can be of greater benefit to your business.

Current care industry issues

It’s no secret that the care industry is one of the most overworked, understaffed, and yet most important sectors. Across the UK, more than 1.59 million people work in the adult social care sector, providing support to over a million people.

The UK Government’s Adult social care workforce survey: April 2025 report found that 71% of provider locations found current workforce recruitment situation “challenging”, with 37% “concerned” about maintaining their standard of service over the next six months.

With that in mind, bringing on the correct, competent, and responsible employees is an absolute necessity, so businesses aren’t left struggling even more further down the line.

Laws around DBS checks for the care sector

Due to the close working proximity between employees and those classed as ‘vulnerable’ adults, the majority of adult social care workers are entitled to Enhanced DBS checks with a Barred Lists check. This means that a background check will not only show any current convictions, but also:

• Unspent convictions
• Cautions
• Warnings
• Additional information from the police

As well as checks against both the Adult’s and Children’s Barred Lists.

As of September, the average Enhanced DBS processing time was 11.9 days, though this time fluctuates heavily depending on what information is uncovered.

The uCheck difference

In a sector where time-to-hire directly impacts continuity and quality of care, screening needs to be both fast and reliable. At uCheck, the turnaround times for all our checks beat national averages across the board. Currently, our average waiting time for Enhanced DBS checks is only 8.8 days – nearly 30% faster.

But speed is only part of the story. For care providers juggling multiple roles, clarity and control are just as important. Our intuitive online platform is built for busy care providers who need simplicity, with all checks managed in one place. And if checks get complicated, our team is on hand with clear, practical support.

In care, recruitment is never just a process, it’s a safeguard. And the systems behind it need to reflect that. That’s the uCheck difference – screening that understands the pressures of care – and keeps pace with them.

Helping care professionals hire quickly and with confidence

As a Care England member, you can register for free on the uCheck platform (saving you more than £50!) and get lifetime access to our online portal.

Simply visit here and use the code ‘CAREENGLANDFREE’ at checkout.

Already registered? Click here to start your next check.