If an individual is going to be working or volunteering in an unsupervised role with, children and vulnerable adults, to avoid any legal liability, you should check their DBS certificate before they start work. However, employers providing care services for adults, in a care home for example, can make use of a service called DBS Adult First. The DBS Adult First Check can be requested, at an additional cost, at the time of applying or retrospectively once the application is processing. This check can only be completed if the applicant is in a regulated activity with vulnerable adults. Within a couple of days, this check will indicate whether an applicant can start work in a supervised position (no match found), whether the potential employer should wait for the results of an Enhanced Check (please wait) or the certificate has already been printed. If a ‘please wait’ result comes through, it does not mean that the applicant is definitely on the Adults’ Barred List, this simply means that the check has proved inconclusive and that employers should exercise caution by waiting for the full Disclosure Certificate. DBS Adult First Checks should be used only in exceptional circumstances and when absolutely necessary.