DBS update service. I'm really confused!

[Toddlerteaplease]

I'm on the DBS update service for work. (Nurse) I am also a member of two agencies and have separate DBS's for them. Not on the update service. One of my agency ones needs updating. Can I just request a new one from the update or do I need to join the update service for each company. The agency have not been helpful!

The agency may well insist upon getting a separate DBS for your employment with them - it's really not worth arguing about as they just won't give you any work without it. Part of their contracts will say that they are solely responsible for ensuring that you have a current DBS, which some places will interpret as they have to get one issued in their name, rather than checking somebody else's hasn't got any new information on it since issue. However, as soon as it's issued, go back onto the Update Service and add that certificate number to your account and it'll be kept continually up to date for no additional charge.

I had two NHS trusts, one School and one college DBS on mine - still had to get another one when I went to the next school, but I was able to start work sooner because I already had active certificates - and it took hardly any time at all to renew, unlike my first, which took eight months to finally come through, because of the update registration.

Can I add other certificates to the update service then?

You can, but you'd have to pay separately for each certificate. So £13 for each.

That's fine. I'll do that. When I can remember my log in!