The Denominations
New Safeguarding Handbook
DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service)
Please see our COVID 19 update: DBS ID CHECKING / FORM VERIFICATION
DBS VERIFIERS TRAINING : A short 1 hour training session via ZOOM has been arranged on 14th September 2021 2- 3 pm to enable Ministers and Church safeguarding coordinators to verify DBS forms and check ID documentation locally. Please contact the Panel office to book your place or for more information.
DBS renewals: If you have registered with the DBS update service and it is over 4 years since you last did a check with the Panel, you can complete your renewal quickly without needing a new DBS form. Please complete this form and send it to our office along with your original certificate or get IN TOUCH if you need help or more information.
We can usually check your DBS online in a matter of minutes.
Please note : If your update service subscription has lapsed, if you have lost your original certificate or if your church role is not at the same level or group as the original certificate we may need to ask you to complete a new form.
What is our DBS policy and who needs to do a DBS disclosure check?
New for 2020 - flowcharts and examples to help you to know who should do a DBS check click here
Read the Our Policy and Summary of Eligibility leaflet here
Please remember that the DBS check is just one part of the Safer Recruitment Process.
Look in the Handbook for more information
YOU NEED TO RENEW YOUR DBS CHECK WITH US EVERY 4 YEARS
Dont hesitate to get IN TOUCH if you need help and advice
Do you have convictions and cautions?
Many minor and old convictions and cautions have been filtered may not appear on a DBS certificate and do not need to be disclosed. These filtering rules were updated in November 2020.
Serious and violent offences (specified offences) and those leading to a prison sentence will never be filtered. See the new DBS guidance here New filtering rules for DBS certificates (from 28 November 2020 onwards)
See the Unlock infographic will my conviction show up (Unlock is an independent national charity that provides a voice and support for people with convictions)
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the Panel
If you need to complete a DBS check for your role within the church you can get forms from the Panel office or ask your church secretary or minister.
Scroll down for more information on the Update service.
Click here to see information on our DBS application process
(This information is also on page 17 in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Handbook)
ln line with DBS code of conduct each DBS applicant will need to meet face to face with a Panel Verifier to have the form checked and their identity verified by cross checking with 3 documents such as a Passport, Driving licence or utilities bill. The full list of acceptable documentation can be found here.
A list of volunteer verifiers is available from the Panel.
Please note most Presbyterian Church of Wales ministers and staff and Baptist Union of Wales ministers have also recently been trained to carry out this role so ask in your local church first.
DONT FORGET
Please make sure you remember the final step of the process and send your cerificate to the Panel office when you receive it directly from the DBS.
We will send it back to you and let your church know that the process is complete.
Still unsure if you need to do a DBS check?
Look at our checklists below...
Checklist for DBS check eligibility for those working with Vulnerable Adults here
Checklist for DBS check eligibility for those working/volunteering with children here
Supervision - in order to decide if a role with children is regulated activity or not it is essential to establish if there is adequate supervision. Click here to read the statutory guidance on supervision.
or the new flowchart click here
We are frequently asked…
Can I use a DBS certificate I have from another role?
Q " I am a teacher - I've done a DBS for work, surely I dont need to do another check for my role in the church"
A " Well it depends. Unless you have joined the DBS update servce it is still the same rule as previously. You generally need a DBS check for each organisation you work or volunteer for."
Many people believe that one Disclosure and Barring Service certificate is enough for all the work that they do with vulnerable groups and that they will never need to do another one. Unfortunately this information is not completely correct. A DBS certificate is not automatically portable but since 2013 it has been possible to reuse a certificate if the applicant has registered with the DBS Update service within 30 days of receiving their previous certificate.
Read the Panel information sheet here
In order to re-use your existing certificate for your church work you will need to have registered on-line with the Update service. We will need to see the original certificate, receive your written permission and ensure that a Panel verifier or your church leader has verified your identity. This form will lead you through the process.
Contact us for more information or visit the DBS website. DBS update service guide
Trustees and DBS Checks
If a trustee is involved in regulated activity and works closely with vulnerable groups or manages or supervises those doing the work they will be required to do a check with a check of the barring lists because of the nature of the work, not because of the title 'trustee'
HOWEVER a trustee, involved in the running of a church that provides activites for children or vulnerable adults is also eligible to do an enhanced check (without a check of the barring lists) even if they are not working directly with the vulnerable groups. This is because a church working with children and vulnerable adults is classed as a "charity for vulnerable groups" for DBS checking purposes and the trustees are responsible for the work.
Where there is eligibility it is our policy that an enhanced DBS disclosure check should be done. This is in line with best practice principles and the Charities Commission guidelines.
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE Publications:
LINKS TO THE DBS WEBSITE
click here to see the DBS guidelines for applicants including information if you have an unusual address
NEW DBS privacy notice May 2018: click here to read what the DBS do with your information.
see also: individual rights policy DBS
Click here for more information about the rules regarding the filtering of old convictions and warnings
Click here to see ID checking Guidelines and the current list of documents you will need to make your application
click here to see the current list of DBS publications and updates
DBS Code of Practice
click here to see the DBS code of practice
DBS Update Service
To read more about the service which can allow you to use your DBS certificate again please click here
Filtering guidance
Filtering guidance - link to DBS website
Criminal record checks for people coming from abroad.
A DBS check will only give information about an individuals timne in the UK. If you have a vulnerbale group worker / vo;unteer from abroad you should follow the procedures noted in these links to get longer term information about their criminal history. Please note: the individual often has to get this infomation before they leave their home country.
Guidance on the application process for criminal records checks overseasGuidance on the application process for criminal records checks overseas
COUNTRIES A-F
Please also look at the relevant pages in the DBS guidelines for Applicants for identity checking rules and requirements for non EEA workers and volunteers.
Note - employers are responsible for ensuring that new employees and volunteers are allowed to work in the UK