DBS checks from private tutoring club

[JohnH251]

I'm starting my 12yr old DD in an after-school tutoring club; its the local franchisee of a reputable national company.

I asked to see DBS certificates of male tutors at this branch (as a matter of routine) but the franchisee says that "the request for email copies of DBS is not allowed under GDPR. You can request the info from ... the government."

Is this correct, and if so how should I proceed? Would it be reasonable to approach tutors directly and ask them to show me their certificate? I'm trying to strike a balance between due diligence and putting noses out of joint.

Thanks!

[LoisLittsLover]

I wouldn't show my dbs check to a client as it has all of my personal info on it which coukd be used in many nefarious ways

[iMatter]

Has the company confirmed that all tutors have had DBS checks?

I'm not sure you need to see their actual certificates

[Comefromaway]

I used to be a franchisee of a children's activity. We were not allowed to show the DBS certificates of staff members in the same way as a school will not show you DBS certificates of their staff and that was before GDPR.

The franchisor however used to run annual spot checks to make sure we had them.

[FlashesOfRage]

You’re being ridiculous.

If you don’t trust a reputable national tutoring company to have done all of the DBS checks there is no help for you.

You are being excessively officious.

[bluebluezoo]

I asked to see DBS certificates of male tutors at this branch (as a matter of routine)

Why only the males? Women can fail dbs checks too.

Interesting question actually. Is it possible to check if someone has passed a dbs?

[PatriciaHolm]

If it's explore learning, they clearly state that all staff working with children have an enhanced DBS/PVG.

You don't need to see them, and you won't be shown them.

[JohnH251]

Thank you all! Good to get some perspective.

FlashesOfRage: "excessively officious"...
Saville? The Catholic Church?

[LIZS]

DBS certificates belong to the employees not the company. You can only ask them to confirm that checks have been made according to their safeguarding policy. It would be unusual for them to be alone in that setting.

[maddy68]

You can't see DBs anymore. They have lots of information on them that's identifying

[bluebluezoo]

You can't see DBs anymore. They have lots of information on them that's identifying

How do you know an employee is dbs checked? If you can’t see the actual certificates, which i understand, you’re just taking someone’s word it’s been done?

Say i take my child to sunday school. They may tell me everyone has a dbs- but how do they prove that?

Obviously I normally take the swim club/brownie leader or whatever at their word, but is there room for someone less scrupulous to say it’s been done when it hasn’t?

[LIZS]

They will have seen the dbs certificate and recorded the reference number and date. That is done according to their process and it should be published in their policies. The actual certificate is held by the individual.

[rosesinmygarden]

I worked for an alternative provision agency as a tutor. I realised recently it took them 6 months to check my DBS on the online update service.
I had been working with vulnerable children one to one in their own homes for 6 months by this point.

You are well within your rights to ask for written confirmation of when they last checked ALL tutors DBS certificates. They will not show you the actual certificates as the don't belong to the agency/club.
You are being naive and unreasonable to only ask about the male members of staff.