DBS Level 2 Risk Assessor in Maidstone

Role Overview

The role offers flexibility in terms of place of work, including the potential to work from home where suitable. Where home working is agreed, the post holder will be required to attend a designated 'Team Zone' on average one or two days a week, as agreed with their line manager. The current Team Zone for this role is located at Maidstone Police Station. In addition, the post holder may be required to attend the office more frequently where training, support needs, team CPD sessions, or identified development actions arise, and should be prepared to do so.

The main purpose of the role is to process and assess Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) applications from individuals seeking employment with children or vulnerable persons. This will involve accessing the Police National Computer (PNC), Athena and other local systems to make decisions on whether the disclosure of locally held police information should be recommended in line with the DBS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF).

The ideal candidate will demonstrate effective decision‑making skills and attention to detail when collating and analysing information, with the ability to identify when further enquiries are required. These enquiries may include contacting safeguarding partners and other police Disclosure Units nationally to ensure that all relevant information is identified and assessed.

The role also requires the post holder to review and assess DBS Barring Information Requests, considering information holistically so that any patterns, aggravating factors, or relevant safeguarding indicators can be clearly presented to the DBS to assist their barring decision‑making. The role requires the post holder to interpret complex information and complete written rationales to evidence their decision making. Experience of processing DBS checks using the DBS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) would be an advantage, but full training will be provided. Due to ongoing development in working practices, you will need to be flexible and able to adapt to change.

Necessary Experience:

• The ability to work with minimum supervision, demonstrating self‑motivation, initiative, and strong organisational skills to effectively manage competing workloads, including recording and explaining where work expectations cannot be met due to case complexity.
• Competent IT skills, with experience using Microsoft Office applications and the ability to interrogate policing systems (including PNC, Athena, and related systems) to obtain relevant information.
• Proven experience of report writing, with well‑developed problem‑solving and analytical skills, and the ability to produce clear, structured written rationales in line with the DBS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) once trained.
• The ability to exercise sound judgement, applying relevant legislation and policy, with an understanding of safeguarding and vulnerability, and the confidence to adapt decisions as safeguarding expectations and guidance evolve.
• The ability to work efficiently to meet productivity expectations while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and quality.
• A working understanding of legislation and guidance relevant to DBS disclosure, including the DBS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF); previous experience as a DBS Level 1 Risk Assessor would be advantageous.
• Experience or working knowledge of policing systems such as PNC, Athena, and other proprietary IT systems gained through relevant work experience.
• An awareness of organisational aims and objectives relating to information management, with an understanding of the Data Protection Act 2018, Police Act Part V (DBS framework), and good information‑security practices.

Applications are invited from individuals for an excellent opportunity to become a DBS Level 2 Risk Assessor within the DBS/Disclosure Team in the Information Management Department. The successful candidates will work Monday to Friday; the DBS/Disclosure Team operates between 07:30 and 17:30, and staff will work their contractual hours within this period.