DBS Check

[BigGhatt]

I know the obvious answer to this is just to ask them but is there a way to check if someone running a childrens youth club/sports club has a DBS? Can you check online?

KCSIE is a statutory document. No group should be operating outside its boundaries.

@YustroketAlwach I just thought that the employer's (if there had been one) website might have had a statement along the lines of "all our employees have an enhanced DBS"

People are entitled to privacy over their age and some people feel very strongly about this. As a parent I agree you need reassurance that everyone employed or volunteering who will be in a position where there is potential access one to one has a current DBS but you don't have the right to see that as a parent.

But how do you check. He could state he has one on his posters/verbally but he might not. Surely there could be a system where you could check online to say “Joe Bloggs at Bloggys Village Youth Club is verified as having a current up to date DBS expiring X date”. I dont need to see it as such, just as part of the Gov website, an area you could search

DBS doesn't work like that. It just shows that on a certain date, you had X convictions. (Or none). The employer then makes a decision. They don't "expire".

They do, dont you have to have one every 3 years? I know its only a snap shot in time and it could be they are one but just not been caught yet. Idk

Yes, they're only valid for 3 years (I've got one that's only a couple of months old.)

Every DBS is out of date the minute it is printed. You could be arrested the next day. Good organisations have them on a live update that notifies them if there is an addition. Most don't.

You get them redone every 3 years as good practice. I last had one done 6 years ago, but I'm on the update service and the organisation I work for has a live check.

I work with children and vulnerable adults. I have convictions. It is a risk assessed situation.

Do ask for DBS. Look at Mike Pilavachi and all other youth leaders

That depends. Best practice might be three years but there is no legal obligation. Many people have more than one, for different roles.

Every DBS is out of date the minute it is printed. You could be arrested the next day

....and let's not forget that a DBS only shows convictions. The reality is that any individual could have done anything in their life but just not been caught (not scaremongering but just pointing out that you can't place your trust 100% on a piece of paper)

(....BTW not "pointing it out" to you @GoogleWhacking but just backing up what you said)

Ask to see their safeguarding policy, they should not be expected to show you their DBS check because it will have their personal data on it such as their home address.

So really anyone can set up a club for children, say theyre dbs checked, have a standard safeguarding policy in place, look all legit and theres no way to check because i cant ask to see their dbs because its confidential?! This is madness no one is checking

Of course you can ask if they’re DBS checked but he might not show you his actual certificate. You could ask what risk assessments he has carried out to safeguard children in his care, this should state that adults working unsupervised with children have a DBS that shows no criminal activity that would prevent them working with children. You could also ask about up to date first aid training etc too
Anyone legitimate would be happy to discuss these things with you.

I have already explained to you they have to comply wit KCSIE. That's a document you can read yourself. Their policies should reflect those statutory requirements.

DBS can also be registered with Beth's Update Service so they are live for anyone with access.

If you asked to see my DBS as a parent of a club, you'd get a hard no. The club give the assurance per KCSIE. Just like teachers.

Not Beth's, The DBS Update Service.

If you do ask to see the DBS, make sure you see the original paper copy. The update service will only tell you of something that has happened after the original paper version was issued but not what happened before.

I had to be DBS checked and honestly wouldn't mind showing anyone who had a professional intent to look at it. I know it's peace of mind for parents. I get the whole privacy in terms of address thing but most parents won't be interested in that, their focus will be on the main bulk of the page.

No it appears not in some cases! I’m a nurse and my dbs has now expired and when I contacted hr I was told they only renew them if you change roles so I don’t need another. Although it is on my professional regulation as a nurse that I must declare any changes otherwise I could be struck off as a nurse.

I agree though it doesn’t prove someone’s not a sex offender. Many sex offenders haven’t been caught so will only prove someone hasn’t been caught for anything and is only as accurate as the day it was issued

This is a good question OP. Might the local council have some policy about youth groups in the area, I wonder?
I’d contact Children’s Services to start with.

If you are concerned about the set up of the Youth Club then please contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

Your local authority has oversight of all settings that work or volunteer with children.

Keeping Children Safe in Education is only applicable to education settings.

This is an out of school activity so please refer to Government guidance as below

www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-out-of-school-settings-code-of-practice

In addition a youth club has an obligation and responsibility under Working Together to Safeguard Children .

Chapter 4

www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2

That's why it's easier to join the update service and get an enhanced DBS. Unless your role significantly changes, you shouldn't have to re do a paper copy.

Ah, glad @woodlandtrees has the answer, and that there are checks!