Disclosure Officer Disclosure & Barring Service - Hybrid

Avon and Somerset Police; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health Assured Employee Assistance

Staff discounts

On-site parking

Gym on site

Job summary

Avon and Somerset Police is recruiting for a Disclosure Officer to perform DBS enhanced vetting for individuals working with children and/or vulnerable adults. The role involves risk assessment, report writing, and advising on disclosure decisions.

It is largely home-based with required attendance at Kenneth Steele House, Bristol when needed. You will handle confidential information, work within regulatory requirements, and contribute to safeguarding vulnerable groups.

Qualifications

• Experience in researching information and writing detailed reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to build relationships.
• Knowledge of data protection and handling confidential information; understanding DBS process is aPlus.

Responsibilities

• Receiving researched applications and conduct risk assessments.
• Preparing and compiling written reports with recommendations on disclosure levels.
• Providing guidance on DBS disclosure procedures and handling sensitive information.
• Undertaking enhanced research on complex applications.
• Ensuring information is collated and analysed for risk assessment.

Skills

Report writing

Risk assessment

Communication

Decision making

Data protection

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

The Disclosure Barring Unit makes disclosure decisions every day in order to protect vulnerable people across our communities.

We have a vacancy for a Disclosure Officer to carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced vetting checks for individuals working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

In this role, you will make decisions on the disclosure of information, undertake research and interrogate intelligence, conduct risk assessments and write comprehensive reports to enable potential employers to make safe recruitment decisions for individuals wishing to work with children and vulnerable adults.

You will be part of a supportive team dealing with confidential and emotive information, but you will leave each day knowing the work you do has helped safeguard and protect the most vulnerable in society.

This role is blended and you will work from home the majority of the time but will need to attend Kenneth Steele House, Bristol as required.

In this role, your main responsibilities will include:

• Receiving researched applications and conduct risk assessments on the information in accordance with the relevant regulatory, statutory and procedural requirements.
• Preparing and compiling written reports, making written recommendations on the level of disclosure information to be released.
• Providing advice and guidance on issues concerning the disclosure of information through the DBS process, including sensitive or personal information as required.
• Undertaking enhanced research on complex applications.
• Ensuring collation of all appropriate information is completed and analysed as part of the risk assessment.

Skills, experience and qualifications required:

• Experience in researching information and writing detailed reports
• Skilled communicator with the ability to build relationships with colleagues both verbally and in writing
• Skilled computer user with knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes including Word
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions
• Knowledge of data protection with experience of dealing with matters of a confidential nature. An understanding of the DBS process would be advantageous

Additional Information:

You will work Monday to Friday, with hours agreed with your manager in line with our flexible working arrangements. The role is primarily home based, with quarterly office attendance and occasional additional visits as required by the business.

We are currently recruiting for one full time position. A reserve list will also be maintained for 12 months to fill any additional vacancies that may arise during this period.

Applicants that are successful at shortlisting stage will be invited to attend an in person interview at Kenneth Steele House week commencing 30th November 2026.

To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 5 year ‘checkable history’ in the UK – ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years.

What we can offer you:

How we reward you is linked to our culture, it’s about more than just salary.

You will have access to a package of financial, lifestyle and health benefits to support whatever stage of life you're in, including:

• Comprehensive training programme to carry out the role with continuing professional development
• Competitive salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Health Assured Employee Assistance scheme offering 24 hour help through counselling services, legal advice, fitness advice, personal coaching and health assessment
• Staff benefits including discounts on shopping, days out, sporting events, holidays
• On-site parking at Kenneth Steele House, access to a 24 hour gym on site (additional subsidised membership of £4 per month)

To find out more about this role please see attached job description or email Unit Manager Damian Bright via [e-mail]

If you are organised, able to work at pace under pressure and with a strong ethos on supporting vulnerable people then we’d like to hear from you.

About us

Pension Benefit

A pension that grows with you, whatever stage you’re at

Alongside your salary, you’ll be enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), administered by Peninsula Pensions. This is a high‑quality defined benefit pension, providing a secure, inflation‑linked income for life, based on your earnings and length of service.

If you’re early in your career, it’s a valuable way to start building long‑term financial security from day one, with employer contributions that significantly boost the value of every pound you pay in.

If you’re more experienced, the scheme offers a level of certainty and stability that is now rare, helping you plan confidently for the future with predictable retirement income and benefits for your dependants.

Find out more: https://www.peninsulapensions.org.uk/local-government/

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset. We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.

Closing Date

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Blended Working/ Hybrid Working

Avon and Somerset Police encourage flexible working where operationally possible.

This role has been identified as a blended role.

The successful candidate for this role will have the opportunity to work from home whilst also at a secondary work location, which will be a police premises. The successful applicant will have the option to discuss working arrangements with their line manager. All applicants must reside within the UK.