Faith Groups and DBS Checks2024-05-03T13:13:05+01:00

DBS Checks for Faith Groups

MyVetting.com delivers fast, affordable online DBS Checks for workers and volunteers working in community groups. These groups support the fabric of our communities, helping people to grow, thrive and develop outside their professional lives.

Smart, fast, secure, and affordable checks for Faith Community Groups and Religious Organisations

DBS Checks for Faith Groups and Religious Organisations 

Faith plays a huge part in bringing many communities together. With faith a reason for people gathering, it means that individuals from across society will be spending time with each other and so safeguarding must be at the forefront of religious activities.  

DBS checks play a pivotal role in safeguarding across all different types of faiths and religious organisations. While many people that play a role within a religious organisation may require an Enhanced DBS check, there are others that may not be eligible.  

What types of DBS checks are there for religious organisations? 

Religious organisations will need to assess which of the three different levels of DBS they may need:  

  • Basic DBS Check 
  • Standard DBS Check 
  • Enhanced DBS Check 

At MyVetting.com, we deliver quick, accurate and affordable online DBS checks at all levels. 

What’s the Difference Between DBS Checks?

Basic DBS Check – The lowest level of check which anyone over 16 can have. You can even run a Basic DBS check on yourself. A Basic DBS shows any unspent convictions on the applicant’s criminal record.   

Standard DBS Check – The next level of DBS check cannot be run by anyone, and applicants will have to be requested to undergo a Standard DBS check. The Standard DBS check will show any cautions, spent or unspent convictions, reprimands or final warnings on the applicant’s criminal record. Standard DBS Checks are required for individuals in certain roles that include accountants and locksmiths. 

Enhanced DBS Check – Alongside the information shown with a Standard DBS, an Enhanced Check will also show any relevant information that may be held by applicant’s local police force. Individuals whose role involves working with children or vulnerable adults may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check. They may also require a check against the Children’s Barred List or the Adult’s Barred List, also known as List 99 [link to blog]. The Barred Lists contain details of people that have been barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.  

DBS Checks for religious leaders 

Religious leaders from across all religions may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a check against the Children’s and Adult’s Barred List. It will depend on whether or not they are undertaking a regulated activity.   

DBS checks for Chaplains 

Some religious leaders may also provide Chaplaincy within a healthcare setting, such as a hospice. If they are engaged in regulated activity with patients, they will be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a check against both the Adult’s and Children’s barred lists. If they only have supervised access to patients on hospital or hospice wards at least once a week or 3 or more times in a 30-day period, they may be eligible for a Standard DBS check. 

What is Regulated Activity

Regulated Activity is used to describe a set of specific circumstances that may be undertaken by employees or volunteers with children or vulnerable adults, in terms of the time or manner of the activities and interaction. Individuals that have been listed on the Barred Lists may not undertake regulated activity with the respective group named on the Barred List.   

Working with Children Through Religious Organisations  

Religious organisations rely on a number of individuals to operate. These may be paid employees or volunteers. Again, the nature of their role will determine what level of DBS check they are eligible. 

DBS checks for Sunday School Teachers  

Sunday School Teachers and religious education providers across all faiths may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.  

If the teacher or mentor is working with the children wholly unsupervised more than three times a month will require an Enhanced DBS check with the Child Barred List check as this is a Regulated Activity. 

DBS checks for Child Care within Religious Organisations 

Employees and volunteers that may work within a nursery group or crèche – where parental supervision has been signed across to the individuals – for three or more times in any 30-day period will be eligible for an Enhanced Disclosure Check with a Children’s Barred List check, in line with Ofsted’s registration requirements. 

Other volunteers or employees on-site during the operating hours of the nursery group or crèche, but not involved in regulated activity, will need to undertake a Basic DBS check. 

DBS Checks for other roles within religious organisations 

Every employee and volunteer within a religious setting or organisation are eligible for a Basic DBS Check, with some individuals eligible for an Enhanced DBS check depending on whether they are undertaking Regulated Activity or not.  in their role. 

How long does it take to get a DBS for religious organisations? 

Applying for DBS checks for religious organisations is quick and simple.  

Register in seconds and send check alerts directly to the applicant. They’ll be alerted instantly and can begin the check process straight away. Don’t worry – if they’re busy and forget to start their check, we’ll send them a text reminder after 24 and 48 hours.  

When your employees upload their proof of identity, their reports will be returned within 5-10 days.   

Apply for an Online DBS for Religious Organisations 

 

DBS Checks for Faith Groups

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Helpdesk

Frequently asked questions

What is a DBS check?2024-01-12T11:42:57+00:00

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) is a check of an individual’s criminal history. The level of check will depend on the amount of information that is accessed from police intelligence records and the DBS barred list information. All levels of DBS checks are to help employers and organisations to recruit both employees and volunteers more safely. DBS Checks were formerly known as the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check.

What is a CRB check?2024-01-12T11:42:27+00:00

The DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check has taken the place of the CRB check. The introduction of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 saw the closure of the CRB and ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), with the Disclosure and Barring Service opened in its place. DBS is now responsible for checking that had previously been carried out by CRB and ISA.

What types of DBS checks are there?2024-01-12T11:41:57+00:00

There are three types (or levels) of DBS check – Basic, Standard or Enhanced. At MyVetting.com, we carry out all three levels of DBS Checks.

Basic Check – A Basic DBS Check shows all of the applicant/s’ unspent convictions. A Basic DBS Check can be applied for either by a company or by an individual.

Standard Check – A standard DBS check is more detailed than the basic check, and in addition to disclosing any of your unspent convictions, a standard check may disclose older information which is felt to be relevant to the position which you are applying for. Standard checks are mostly used for positions in financial services or the justice system, so things like theft or fraud convictions might be of particular interest. Decisions about what to disclose are made on a case-by-case basis.

Enhanced Check – An Enhanced DBS Check is mandatory for roles that involve children and/or vulnerable adults, whether in paid employment or volunteering. An Enhanced DBS Check will show all spent and unspent criminal convictions and reprimands. An Enhanced DBS is checked against the Police National Computer and the children and adults barred lists.

Do I need a DBS Check?2024-01-12T11:41:02+00:00

If you are an applicant, your employer or lead organisation should be able to tell you if you need a DBS Check. They can use the UK Government Eligibility Tool to check as required and it will indicate whether an employee or volunteer needs a DBS Check for a specific role and also what level of check they need. Businesses and organisations will be liable legally if safeguarding is compromised when working with children and/or vulnerable adults. To prevent safeguarding issues, all eligible staff and volunteers should be checked as indicated by the Eligibility Tool.

What DBS check do employees need?2024-01-12T11:40:52+00:00

It is the responsibility of the employer or organisation to decide on the level of disclosure for an employee or volunteer. This may be guided by the role and/or the environment they will work in, for example in a caring or coaching role. The UK Government Eligibility Tool can help you to identify what level of DBS Check is required.

Is a DBS check a legal requirement?2024-01-12T11:39:03+00:00

A business or organisation is legally responsible for ensuring an individual can apply for a particular role. Employers and organisations are legally obliged to check and confirm, via DBS Check, that anyone working for their organisation with or near children and vulnerable adults has not been barred from working with either adults or children.

Can you fail a DBS check?2024-01-12T11:36:46+00:00

You cannot fail a DBS check as a DBS Check will only show whether an applicant has a criminal record or not. It is the employer’s decision as to whether an applicant is suitable for employment.

Who owns the DBS certificate?2024-01-12T11:36:38+00:00

A DBS Certificate belongs to the person whose name is printed on the certificate. It should be made available to your employer.

How long does a DBS certificate last?2024-01-12T11:36:27+00:00

DBS Certificates do not have an expiry date; however, an organisation or employer should stipulate how regularly DBS Certificates should be renewed by employees, contractors or volunteers. If you leave employment to start a new role you will need to complete this procedure again. It is recommended that Disclosures are renewed annually or at least every 2 years.

Can anyone ask for a DBS?2024-01-12T11:36:22+00:00

An individual can request a Basic disclosure on and for themself.  The Basic Check includes information on unspent convictions. However, an individual cannot request a Standard DBS Check or Enhanced DBS Check. These levels of DBS Checks must be requested by an employer or umbrella organisation.

Can I get my own DBS check?2024-01-12T11:35:57+00:00

An individual can request a Basic disclosure on themselves, which will contain information on unspent convictions. An individual cannot request a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check.

Can I contact the DBS directly?2024-01-12T11:26:50+00:00

Contact the DBS directly by phone on 03000 200 190 or by email at customerservices@dbs.gov.uk 

You will need your reference number.

Who pays for a DBS check?2024-01-12T11:26:38+00:00

That will depend on the policy of your employer or organisation. Some companies pay for applicants’ DBS Checks while others request that applicants pay for their own DBS Check at the point of application. If you are an applicant and unsure of the company policy, please check directly with the organisation.

What is a spent conviction on a DBS check?2024-01-12T11:26:32+00:00

A ‘spent’ conviction is a conviction, caution, warning or reprimand that has been received by an individual but that has expired after a certain period of time. While the conviction is ‘unspent’, it remains on their criminal record and the Police National Computer. The period of time that a record will remain before expiring is defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Spent convictions will not appear on a Basic DBS Check. For Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks, spent convictions may or may not appear – according to filtering according to legislation put in place on 29th May 2013. This means that while spent convictions will not appear on a Basic DBS Check, they may also not appear on a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check – however the list of conviction types and offences that can never be filtered from a certificate is considerable.

What is an unspent conviction on a DBS check?2024-01-12T11:26:25+00:00

An unspent conviction, warning, caution or reprimand is one that has had a certain length of time attached to it by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 which means that it is still on their criminal record and on the Police National Computer. It will appear on Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS Check certificates.

I have lost my DBS Disclosure document. Can I get another copy?2024-01-12T11:26:16+00:00

There are only certain circumstances under which the DBS will reprint a DBS Check:

  • If the original DBS certificate was lost in the post en-route to the applicant
  • If this loss is reported within 90 days of the issue date.
  • For DBS Checks, there will only be one paper copy of the certificate and this is issued to the applicant.
Do all checks complete within 24 hours?2024-01-12T11:26:09+00:00

Most of the Basic DBS Checks can be completed within 24 hours, but we ask that you allow 48 hours in case of a large volume of traffic at the Disclosure and Barring Service. Standard and Enhanced Checks are more involved and can take up to 10 working days, however, at MyVetting.com, we work towards 10 working days, targeting five working days. It may take up to 10 days for your certificate to arrive in the post.

I’ve got a DBS. Can I use it for a new job?2024-01-12T11:26:01+00:00

Every DBS certificate is connected with a role within the named organisation. Moving organisation will require a new DBS check and moving roles within the same organisation may mean that you need to move from a Standard DBS Check to an Enhanced DBS Check, if you are now working with or near vulnerable people.

My online payment is not being accepted?2024-01-12T11:25:10+00:00

At MyVetting.com, we accept the following payment and card payment options via a secure payment gateway. They are:

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Apple Pay
  • GPay

If you experience any issues, please contact us.

My online application is not being accepted?2024-01-12T11:24:00+00:00

Complete the application form and proceed to the payment page. If any issues arise, we ask that you please check all information that has been added in the correct format. If you need further support, please contact us.

I’ve not been in the UK for 5 years. Can I still apply for a DBS?2024-02-13T22:19:48+00:00

This is not a problem. It is not a requirement of the DBS for the applicant to hold 5 years UK-based address history. When completing your application simply provide your full 5-year address history, including any international addresses.

What are DBS Barred Lists?2024-01-12T11:18:41+00:00

DBS Barred Lists are lists administered by the DBS that include individuals who are barred from working with children, vulnerable adults or both.

What is filtering?2024-01-12T11:18:02+00:00

Filtering is the process used by the DBS to assess whether particular information on convictions and cautions is protected under current legislation and, therefore, should be removed from an individual’s DBS Certificate before printing. Employers and organisations can ask an individual to provide information on convictions and cautions that they are legally entitled to know about. Both Standard and Enhanced DBS Certificates include details of convictions and cautions – including youth cautions, reprimands and warnings – recorded on the Police National Computer. Police National Computer data relating to protected cautions and convictions will be filtered out and will not appear on certificates.

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