23.—(1) The service provider must not—
(a)employ a person under a contract of employment to work at the service unless that person is fit do so;
(b)allow a volunteer to work at the service unless that person is fit to do so;
(c)allow any other person to work at the service in a position in which that person may, in the course of duties, have regular contact with individuals who are receiving support or with other persons who are vulnerable unless that person is fit to do so.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work at the service unless—
(a)the person is of suitable integrity and good character;
(b)the person has the qualifications, skills, competence and experience necessary for the work that person is to perform;
(c)the person is able by reason of their health, after reasonable adjustments are made, to properly perform the tasks which are intrinsic to the work for which that person is employed or engaged;
(d)the person has provided full and satisfactory information or documentation, as the case may be, in respect of each of the matters specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 and this information or documentation is available at the service for inspection by the service regulator;
(e)where the person is employed by the service provider to manage the service, from 1 April 2022, the person is registered as a social care manager(1) with SCW(2).
(3) An appropriate DBS certificate must be applied for by, or on behalf of the service provider, for the purpose of assessing the suitability of a person for the post referred to in paragraph (1). But this requirement does not apply if the person working at the service is registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service update service (referred to in this regulation as “the DBS update service”).
(4) Where a person being considered for a post referred to in paragraph (1) is registered with the DBS update service, the service provider must check the person’s DBS certificate status for the purpose of assessing the suitability of that person for that post.
(5) Where a person appointed to a post referred to in paragraph (1) is registered with the DBS update service, the service provider must check the person’s DBS certificate status at least annually.
(6) Where a person appointed to a post referred to in paragraph (1) is not registered with the DBS update service, the service provider must apply for a new DBS certificate in respect of that person within three years of the issue of the certificate applied for in accordance with paragraph (3) and thereafter further such applications must be made at least every three years.
(7) If any person working at the service is no longer fit to work at the service as a result of one or more of the requirements in paragraph (2) not being met, the service provider must—
(a)take necessary and proportionate action to ensure that the relevant requirements are complied with;
(b)where appropriate, inform—
(i)the relevant regulatory or professional body;
(ii)the Disclosure and Barring Service.
See section 79(1)(b) of the Act for the definition of a “social care manager”.
See section 67(3) of the Act for the definition of Social Care Wales as “SCW”.