DBS Officer

Southwark Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Southwark Council is seeking a meticulous DBS Officer to support safeguarding, DBS rechecks, and safer recruitment. You will manage applications, maintain compliant records, and collaborate with onboarding and HR to ensure DBS‑eligible staff meet requirements.

This part-time role requires accuracy, confidentiality and clear communication, with duties including updating the central DBS Register using Excel, SharePoint and SAP, and ensuring GDPR compliance.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of DBS processes and safeguarding requirements.
• Experience in HR, recruitment, onboarding or compliance.
• Strong IT and data-handling skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Clear communication skills and a customer-focused approach.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and anti-racist practice.

Responsibilities

• Carry out DBS Update Service checks and manage new DBS applications
• Maintain the central DBS Register using Excel, SharePoint and SAP
• Communicate with employees, sending requests, reminders and confirmations
• Support onboarding of new starters in DBS-eligible roles
• Ensure all activity is accurate, auditable and GDPR-compliant

Skills

DBS knowledge

HR onboarding

Data handling

Communication

Equality & inclusion

Tools

Excel

SharePoint

SAP

Job description

Why Southwark?

We are passionate about delivering the best customer service and getting our community active. Every team member plays their part, working within a diverse and dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.

Why Southwark?

We are passionate about delivering the best customer service and getting our community active. Every team member plays their part, working within a diverse and dynamic team in a fast-paced environment. We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

What You’ll Be Doing

We’re looking for an organised and detail‑focused DBS Officer to support the Council’s safeguarding and safer recruitment responsibilities. You’ll manage DBS rechecks and applications, maintain accurate compliant records, and work closely with onboarding and HR colleagues to ensure all employees in DBS‑eligible roles meet requirements. This is a key role where accuracy, confidentiality and clear communication really matter.

What You’ll Do

• Carry out DBS Update Service checks and manage new DBS applications
• Maintain the central DBS Register using Excel, SharePoint and SAP
• Communicate with employees, sending requests, reminders and confirmations
• Support onboarding of new starters in DBS‑eligible roles
• Ensure all activity is accurate, auditable and GDPR‑compliant

What We’re Looking For

• Knowledge of DBS processes and safeguarding requirements
• Experience in HR, recruitment, onboarding or compliance
• Strong IT and data‑handling skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Clear communication skills and a customer‑focused approach
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and anti‑racist practice

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Benefits And More Information

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Additional Information

Type of contract & working hours:

Please note that this is a part-time position of 21.6 hours per week on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The displayed salary and annual leave amounts are based on a full-time equivalent employee. Your entitlements will be pro‑rata based on your contractual hours.

Contact Information

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Zainish Khan at [e-mail]

This vacancy is subject to the council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.

Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: 11:59pm on Friday 30th October 2026

Interview Date: W/C 9th November 2026

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative . We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Attachments

• DBS Officer - Job Description & Person Specification.pdf