DBS FAQ
Lancaster District CVS offers a DBS checking service, in partnership with Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale CVS.
We get a lot of enquiries about DBSs and we understand that organisations can feel pressure to ensure that ALL of their staff and volunteers have a DBS certificate. But it might not be necessary! Mark is our DBS lead and is always happy to answer any questions and support organisations around DBS, but there are certain things that come up time and again. Here are some of those queries.
Do I need an enhanced DBS?
Certain activities make a role eligible for an enhanced check. Simply working with or supporting ‘vulnerable’ people isn’t any indication; it must be based on WHAT is being done rather than WHO it’s being done with. For that reason we encourage people to consult the DBS’s online Toolkit.
The toolkit will give you a really good indication of the level of DBS that the role might be eligible for. Depending on what the role involves it might be eligible for a Basic check, a Standard check, or an Enhanced check. And Enhanced checks can come either with or without barred list checks for working with adults or children (under 18s). It’s important to get this right because applying for a level of check that you’re not eligible for
How much does it cost?
Lancaster District CVS charges £35 per volunteer and £80 per member of staff for enhanced checks. Standard checks are £50 per person regardless of status. Basic checks are available via the DBS directly and the current charge is £21.50.
Can I register for the Update Service via CVS?
No. The Update Service is provided directly by the DBS and you will be able to register for that once you receive your certificate.
Can I do it online?
Not through CVS. We trialled a digital service but it proved too expensive to continue. The DBS service here is entirely paper-based. An in-person appointment is required and the process takes approximately 15 minutes – provided that you have the correct evidence documents with you.
What do I need to bring with me?
You will need to bring BOTH your passport and driving licence (if you have both), plus an additional piece of evidence showing your current address. The DBS has three lists of eligible documents and you can see them here.
We usually use Route 1, which requires at least one document from Group 1 and two further documents from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b, one of which must show your current address. The form also requires your National Insurance number – you just need to know this, you don’t need to provide evidence of it.
I already have a DBS certificate from another role – do I need new one for a new role?
This depends on the organisation’s policy. Some organisations will accept existing DBS certificates where they are at the appropriate level and have been processed in the recent past – within a few months. But many, if not most organisations will want a fresh updated certificate, which is why registering with the Update Service can be so helpful. Best practice is to get a new certificate (or an updated one via the Update Service) for any new role that you might take on. If you are moving from a volunteer position to a paid staff position then you will need to apply for a new certificate.
When does my DBS certificate run out?
Technically a DBS certificate is out of date as soon as you receive it because it only covers the time up until it is processed. But there’s no rule that says a certificate is valid for a year, three years, five years etc. Many organisations will want to refresh DBS certificates every 12 months to stay up to date, which is another reason why the Update Service is so helpful.
How long will it take to receive my certificate?
The usual timeline is that you will receive your certificate in the post, to your home address, within 2 to 3 weeks of submitting the form. Occasionally they take longer. It is important to check with us if you have not received your certificate after 4 weeks so that we can check where it is in the process. Sometimes applications can get stuck at Stage 4: Police Check, and this is usually down to the fact that this stage requires a human being to check for physical records. If a lot of requests come in all at one and there are limited numbers of staff to do the checking, this can mean things take a little longer.
If you have any more questions about DBSs you can contact our DBS lead by email at [email protected].
