DBS Checks FAQs

Once you have received the email giving you access to complete the form online, you should do the following:

1. Complete your DBS application form as instructed

   This includes selecting three forms of ID that you will be able to physically present to the university on request. You must also provide a full five year address history, which must include all addresses that you have lived at during this time; such as student, temporary or overseas addresses. Any mistakes made on this application form will result in your application being cancelled, and you being asked to complete it again.

2. Pay for your check

   using the Shopfront

3. Download and complete the ‘Good Conduct Declaration form.’

   If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the questions regarding your good conduct (marked a-e on the form), you should return the completed form to us by email immediately. If you have answered ‘No’ to the all of the questions, please retain the form until it is requested.

4. Register to attend a signing session

   you must book and obtain a ticket from Eventbrite to attend a signing session. Entrance to sessions are by ticket only.

Please follow these instructions:

If you are self-isolating, shielding or consider yourself vulnerable, for whatever reason, please do not place yourself and others at risk. Email us directly on DBScheck@chester.ac.uk so that we can discuss suitable alternative arrangements.

We have limited the number of persons at each session to reduce the possibility of queues, it is imperative that you attend at the time that you have booked. Please ensure that you attend at the time and date that you have booked for.

In order to comply with CoVid 19 physical distancing measures please ensure that you remember the following:

• Do NOT attend or register to attend a session if you are or someone in your household is suffering from any Covid 19 symptoms
• Do NOT attend or register to attend a session if you are or someone in your household is self-isolating or required to self-isolate
• Do NOT attend or register to attend a session if you are resident in an area where compliance with local lockdown restrictions means you should NOT travel
• Only attend the session that you have selected and have a ticket for
• Keep a safe distance apart from other persons
• Bring and wear a face mask and another PPE at all times during the session
• Bring the same identity documents that you identified when you completed the form online (eg Passport, Driving Licence, Utility Bill, Birth Certificate)
• Bring a pen
• Remember to bring your shopfront receipt as proof of payment
• Remember to bring your completed Good Conduct Form
• Please ask relatives and companions etc to wait outside the building
• Follow the directional arrows and other signs at the session
• Entry to the signing session will be on a strict 'one in one out' basis
• In order to limit the risk of infection to yourself and others, please leave the University premises once you have completed the signing session

The following programmes of study will involve regulated activity and require DBS clearance:

Notes:

*Applicants wishing to register on the Apprenticeship programmes should have existing DBS clearance through their employer.

** QTS - Qualified Teacher Status

The cost of the Disclosure is £55.00. Payable using the University of Chester Shopfront. Applicants are strongly advised to subscribe to the Disclosure Update Service at a cost of £13.00 payable directly to the DBS.

The DBS definition of a 'volunteer' specifically excludes students undertaking a placement as part of their studies. DBS defines a ‘volunteer’, as:

‘A person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party other than or in addition to a close relative.’

To qualify for a free-of-charge volunteer check, the applicant must not:

• Benefit directly from the position for which the DBS application is being submitted.
• Receive any payment (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses).
• Be on a work placement.
• Be on a course that requires them to do this job role.
• Be in a trainee position that will lead to a full time role/qualification.

The following table is adapted from the table published in the October 2013 edition of DBS Disclsoure News.

Applicants for the MSc/PG Dip Nutrition and Dietetics, whilst liable for the fee, do NOT need to pay for the DBS check at this stage; the cost will be covered by the NHS. However, applicants will need to pay to subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full details of how to complete the DBS application may be found by clicking on this link: How to Complete Your DBS Application or on the link at the right of this page. Please ensure that you read the instuctions carefully before applying.

You should also complete a Good Conduct Declaration Form and bring this with you to the signing session.

You should only register for and attend a signing session once you have received a letter from the University requesting that you apply for a DBS Disclosure and have completed the form on-line. However, it is imperative that you attend the signing session. Failure to do so may result in serious implications for your continued enrolment on the programme. This process MUST be completed before the commencement of your studies.

Dates of DBS Signing Sessions may be found on the DBS Dates page at http://www.chester.ac.uk/dbs/dates booking for the session is done through Eventbrite

All student signing sessions will take place in room 009 in the Molloy Building (40) on the Parkgate Road Campus (CML009) on the University’s Chester Campus, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ.

Due to limited space available for queuing you are requested not to attend for the signing session before the start time above to avoid excessive waiting.

Applicants should note that they may also be required to complete other relevant checks to demonstrate suitability or fitness to practice including completion of an Occupational Health Assessment. The University may withdraw the offer of a place if you fail to provide satisfactory Occupational Health clearance.

Information for Staff
Applicants for positions of employment at the University should contact Human Resources to arrange a signing session.

You should only book for and attend a signing session once you have completed the application form on-line, paid for the check and received a confirmation email that your application has been submitted. Please do not attend the signing session if you have not completed the form; however, it is imperative that you do complete the entire DBS application process. Failure to do so may result in serious implications for your continued enrolment on the programme. The DBS process MUST be completed before the commencement of your studies.

If you are self-isolating, shielding or consider yourself vulnerable, for whatever reason, please do not place yourself and others at risk. Email us directly on DBScheck@chester.ac.uk so that we can discuss suitable alternative arrangements.

We have limited the number of persons at each session to reduce the possibility of queues, it is imperative that you attend at the time that you have booked. Please ensure that you attend at the time and date that you have booked and received a ticket for.  Don't forget to bring the ticket with you.

If you have completed the DBS application through the University and have paid the fee you need to register or book to attend a signing session. You can register to attend a session through Eventbrite. Please ensure that you attend at the time and date that you have booked and received a ticket for.  Don't forget to bring the ticket with you.

If you have completed a DBS application through the University and attended a signing session you will receive an email advising you that the form has been dispatched to the DBS. To be able to track the progress of your application you will need the form reference number, this will be included in the email. You can track your DBS application using the following link: https://secure.crbonline.gov.uk/enquiry/.

• You will also need your form reference number to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. Please ensure that you do not register for the Update Service as a volunteer, this will make your application void and you will be required to re-subscribe and apply for a new DBS disclosure including paying the full fee.

All applicants will need to complete the Good Conduct Declaration Form and bring any further details with you to the signing session; applicants will also need to receive Occupational Health Clearance.

The University is also required by the Department for Education's Initial Teacher Education Criteria 1.3 to check that applicants for PGCE, BA QTS or other Initial Teacher Education programmes, are not subject to a prohibition order issued by the Secretary of State and are not Disqualified by Association under the Childcare Act 2006.

If during anytime in the last five years you have lived or worked overseas you must include all overseas addresses in your address history. You will also be expected to obtain and provide a Certificate of Good Conduct or a Police record certificate from the country or countries in which you stayed.

Time spent overseas will include a gap or placement year as part of your previous studies, activities including activity camps eg Camp America or working with families. Tourist trips, holidays or short vacations to overseas countries are not included. 

Further guidance on how to obtain an Overseas Criminal Record Check can be obtained from this Home Office site: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants 

This may, but not necessarily, debar you from being admitted to your course of study at the University. If you know that you do have a criminal record (including a caution, warning or reprimand) you should declare this whilst completing the Good Conduct Declaration Form and bring any further details with you to the signing session. You should also provide a brief account outlining the circumstances of the incident and any mitigating circumstances that you feel may be relevant. This statement should be submitted in a sealed envelope at the signing session. Please rest assured that the University considers all cases fully and fairly, including your written account, before reaching a final decision.

All guarantees of a place at the University of Chester remain provisional pending a receipt of satisfactory DBS clearance through the University.

However, you do not need to delcare any Conviction, Caution or Reprimand that will be subject to the DBS Filtering Rules; you are strongly advised to check these rules prior to completing the form.

The University requires all applicants that are conducting regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults to complete a new DBS check through the University. We are unable to accept previous DBS certificates, including those which may be on the Update Service.