What is a DBS check?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children.
It replaced the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
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Types of DBS check +
There are three types of check:Basic – this checks for unspent criminal conviction information onlyEnhanced – this checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings plus any additional information held by the police that's reasonably considered relevant to the role being applied forEnhanced with barring list checks – this is like the enhanced check, but includes a check of the DBS barred child and/or adult lists.The House of Bishops has decided that criminal record checks must be renewed every three years. Should there ever be a delay in obtaining the criminal record check, the person is not approved by the… See More -
Who needs an enhanced DBS check? +
Good safeguarding practice requires those who work closely with children and/or adults experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect, to have an enhanced criminal record check.The following people would require an enhanced DBS check:- A worker or volunteer who teaches, trains, instructs, cares for or supervises children or provides advice/guidance on physical, emotional or educational well-being to children- A worker or volunteer who provides training, teaching, instruction, assistance, advice or guidance to an adult who receives a health or social care service- A worker of volunteer who carries out health care, personal care, social work, assisting with cash, bills… See More
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DBS Applications
Within the diocese we are currently streamlining the process for obtaining DBS checks for paid employees and volunteers where they are needed for working in or on behalf of our churches.
The following is a broad outline of the process and there will be some variation between parishes as the streamlining progresses.
Your Parish Safeguarding Officer or Clergy will know your local process and how it applies.
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DBS applications for all clergy +
Complete a Clergy Confidential Declaration Form (Word or PDF) ensuring the signature is a physical / wet ink or image of your signature. Complete an ID Verification and Justification Form. For clergy already within the Diocese of Derby, your parish safeguarding officer, churchwardens, another member of clergy, the area dean, deanery administrator will need to see three forms of identity, one should bear a recent photograph, one must confirm your date of birth, and at least one must confirm your current address. For clergy New to the diocese please have this countersigned by a senior member of clergy from your current diocese. Notes… See More -
DBS applications for all laity, including readers +
Complete a Laity Confidential Declaration Form (Word or PDF) ensuring the signature is a physical / wet ink or image of your signature Pass your Confidential Declaration Form on to your parish safeguarding officer who will complete an ID Verification and Justification Form. At this point they will need to see three forms of identity: one should bear a recent photograph, one must confirm your date of birth, and at least one must confirm your current address. Notes and an example ID form can be downloaded and also a list of acceptable ID documents. Licensed Lay Readers or Readers in Training… See More -
Applications via the DBS Update Service +
Information on applications via the DBS update service will be published here by the end of October 2022. In the meantime, please contact judie.fogarty@derby.anglican.org for support and more information. See More
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FAQs
Frequently asked DBS application questions and some useful links to the DBS website:
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Do I need a DBS check? +
Please see the Government's guides to DBS Eligibility and the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy Practice Guidance and Resources. -
What if an applicant does not have internet access? +
The applicant can nominate a trusted individual to receive the online link via email on their behalf and them help them go through the form. Alternatively, we can arrange for people to come into Derby Church House to complete the online form with the safeguarding administrator. Contact 01332 388681 or email judie.fogarty@derby.anglican.org to arrange an appointment. -
How can I track the progress of my DBS application? +
Just enter your application reference number from your application and date of birth into the DBS Online Tracker. -
What is the benefit of using the DBS Update Service? +
You can have your DBS Certificate kept up-to-date electronically and take it with you from role to role, within the same workforce, where the same type and level of check is required.
This means that you will not need a new DBS check every time your job title changes – but you will need a new DBS if the workforce changes.
This allows you to reuse your DBS certificate when applying for similar jobs, subject to the discretion of a new employer in accepting an existing DBS and using the updating service. -
How does the DBS Update Service work? +
If an individual subscribes to the DBS Update Service their employer can go online, with their consent, and carry out a free, instant check to find out if the information released on the DBS certificate is current and up-to-date. -
Is there an additional cost? +
Joining the service is an individual decision but we highly recommend it for volunteers as it is free.
Paid workers would need to pay a yearly subscription fee of £13.00 at their own expense. -
How do I subscribe to the DBS Update Service? +
Subscription to the DBS Update Service is NOT automatic – but you can join at the same time you apply for a DBS check or within 30 days of the date of issue printed on your Certificate.
Please inform both your parish safeguarding officer and judie.fogarty@derby.anglican.org if you do subscribe to the update service as we are not automatically informed. -
I am a Parish Safeguarding Officer. What do I do if someone shows me a DBS certificate
processed by a different organisation but they have subscribed to the DBS Update Service? +- The applicant must still complete a Confidential Declaration Form and you should complete an ID Verification and Justification Form as for a standard DBS Application.
- You will still need to check the original DBS certificate to make sure that it is legitimate and that the level of check processed is adequate for their role in your parish.
- You also need to check if there are any offences/convictions listed because when we perform an online status check it will only tell us if there is any NEW information.
- You then need to email us with the applicant's name, date of birth and a full copy of the DBS certificate they have presented so that we can perform an online status check. We will then email the results to you for your parish records.
>> More information on the DBS Update Service
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