The Disclosure and Barring Service allows organisations to make safer recruitment decisions by offering a means to check the background of applicants to ensure that they do not have a history that would make them unsuitable for posts they are trying to fill. Disclosures will provide details of a person’s criminal record including convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer (PNC).
If you are applying for a position that involves working with the vulnerable, the Disclosure will also contain details from lists held by the the Disclosure and Barring Service of those considered unsuitable for this type of work. You will need to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure, when requested to do so by the University, as the course you will undertake involves a degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults. This includes a check on local police records, where additional information relevant to your course may be released by the Chief Police Officer for inclusion within the Enhanced Disclosure.
You do not need to apply for a Disclosure until you have been instructed to do by the University.
How do I complete my University DBS Check?
Once you have received the email giving you access to complete the form online, you should do the following:
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 instructions carefully before applying.
You should also complete a Good Conduct Declaration Form and bring this with you to the signing session.
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.
What documents can I use to prove my identity?
The first part of your application will present you with a list of ID documents (driving licence, passport and bank statments etc - see below.) You will need to select which documents you can provide as proof of yor identity.
The required ID documents are listed across a number of pages. If you are unable to select a document(s) from one of the lists, select 'No'as your answer and you should be able to select a document from a subsequent list.
The documents you select must:
- be originals (photocopies, online and self-printed documents will be rejected)
- match your current address
- confirm your current full-name
Your ID documents must match the application details submitted: if your documents do not confirm the application details or atre expired, they will be rejected at the identity verification stage. As a result ensure that your current ID documents are up to date, or select an alternative ID document from the list.
Whern selectimng your documents, please ensure that you only select documents that you have in your possession - if you need to collect or receive your documebnts from elsewhere, please wait until you have them to complete your application. This will help ensure your application is filled out accurately, and your documents are not rejected at the verification stage.
Here is a complete list of all form of Identity that you can use to complete your DBS check.
Screen 1
- Passport (any nationality)
- Biometric residence permit (UK)
- Current photocard driving licence UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands/(full or provisional)
- Birth certificate - issued within 12 months of birth (UK and Channel Islands)
- Adoption certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
Screen 2
- Current photocard driving licence - All countries outside UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands (full or provisional)
- Firearms licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
- HM Forces ID card (UK)
- Immigration document, visa or work permit - Issued by a country outside the EEA (Valid only for roles where the applicant is living and working outside of the UK).
- Visa/permit (must relate to the non EEA country in which the role is based).
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate (UK and Channel Islands).
Screen 3
- Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo
- EEA National ID card
- Letter from head teacher or college principal (UK - for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education - only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided)
- Letter of Sponsorship from future employment provider (can only be used for applicants residing outside the UK at time of application)
The Following documents issued within the past 12 months:
- Council Tax Statement Financial Statement (UK) - e.g. pension, endowment,
- ISA Mortgage Statement (UK or EEA)
- P45 Statement
- P60 Statement
The Following documents issued within the past 3 months:
- Bank or building society statement (UK and Channel Islands or EEA)
- Bank or building society statement - Countries outside the EEA (for applicants living and working outside the UK. Branch must be located in the country in which the applicant lives and works)
- Bank/Building Society Account Opening Confirmation Letter Credit Card Statement (UK or EEA)
- Benefit Statement (UK) - e.g. Child benefit, Pension Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement. e.g. Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC. (UK and Channel Islands) - First document
- Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement. e.g. Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC. (UK and Channel Islands) - Second Document (this must have been issued by a different body than first document)
- Electricity Bill / Statement (UK)
- Gas Bill / Statement (UK)
- Telephone Bill / Statement (Not Mobile Telephone) (UK)
- Water Bill / Statement (UK)
You can either provide at least 3 documents, including at least one from category 1, or five documents from category 2a or 2b, and at least one document must demonstrate your current address. If you are having trouble finding documents from this list, please contact us directly and we will discuss the matter with you.
How to provide your name history?
The DBS require you to confirm your current full name including all: forenames, middle names(s) and surnames. You will also be asked to declare any previous / additional names that you have used, or have been known as since birth.
Any spelling variations used in an official document or on a previous DBS application, should be included within the application, see examples below:
- Philip known as Phill
- Jonathan known as Jon or John
- Victoria known as Vicky
- Suzanne or Susan known as Sue or Su
- Vicky spelt as Vickie
- Jones-Smith used without the hyphen as Jones Smith
If your application hasn't been initiated in your official name, please contact us so that we can restart your application as necessary.
How to complete address history?
The DBS require full disclosure of ALL addressess that you have lived at within the last five years (including ALL temporary or term-time student addresses).
All addressed documents must match the current address shown on the application form.
You will need to include any concurrent addresses or overseas addresses. When using concurrent addresses the system allows for overlapping of dates to record if you live, or have lived at two or more locations at the same time.
If you have a concurrent address(es) enter your primary address first, this is where your certificate will be sent to. Then enter any other address(es) that you've lived at in the last five years as additional addresses.
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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.
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Pay for your check
using the Shopfront
Applicants for the Pre-registration Nursing, Pre-registration Midwifery, MSc and BSc 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. -
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.
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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.
For more information on other FAQs on how to complete your application DBS form.
Please note:
The Disclosure application online process must be completed before you attend a signing session and as soon as possible. Failure to complete the process will delay your enrolment and may have serious consequences for your continued registration and studies at the University of Chester. You must bring your chosen ID documents with you to a DBS signing session, for checking and verification.
Your guarantee of a place at the University of Chester remains provisional pending a receipt of both satisfactory DBS and Occupational Health clearance through the University. These conditions remain in place irrespective of whether you have enrolled or commenced studies. The University may withdraw the offer of a place, or terminate studies, if information comes to light that may have a bearing on your suitability to work with Children or Vulnerable Adults or you fail to meet the necessary suitability requirements for admission.
The dates, time & venue of sessions can be found on the University DBS Signing Session Page and in your induction handbook. Please note that it is imperative that you attend one of these sessions. 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. You must complete the application on-line and pay for your check before attending a signing session.
Applicants for positions of employment should contact Human Resources to arrange a DBS signing session.
Complete your online DBS application form
Pay for your DBS check
Applicants for the Pre-registration Nursing, Pre-registration Midwifery, MSc and BSc 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.
Once you have received the email from the University informing you that your DBS application has been sent to the DBS you are recommended to subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Useful Links and Policy Documents
- Pay for your DBS Check Applicants for the Pre-registration Nursing, Pre-registration Midwifery, MSc and BSc 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.
- Complete Your DBS Check
- Dates of DBS Signing Sessions
- DBS Filtering Rules
External websites:
- Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBS Update Service
- Track your DBS Application
- DBS Checks from Overseas
- Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Policy Documents: