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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this should be enough?

46 replies

sameoldscene · 08/03/2017 16:45

I've volunteered to read with my daughter's class.
I'm in between jobs and as luck would have it l'm a TA. Up until two weeks ago l was a member of staff at another school.
Anyway... today l took to the new school office:
My driving license
My birth certificate
My previous DBS
Valid UK passport.
A payslip from the same council- in my name and with my address.
And a bill addressed to me.
I totally understand they would need to make a new application for my volunteering.
I don't understand why they would need any more letters in my name/address?
I'm taking a BT bill - hope that will be enough

OP posts:

CheerfullyIndifferent · 08/03/2017 16:52

Definitely should be enough. Had my DBS check a few ago and only needed 3 things, only one with current address (driving license). Not for a school but an organisation dealing with children.

Original poster

sameoldscene · 08/03/2017 17:03

The secretary seemed to delight in telling me.
I will give her my BT bill in the morning- if that still isn't enough. I will definitely speak with the head.
Petty as that might sound, the school appears to be crying out for volunteers and as a representative for the school, l feel the secretary should have at least thanked me and apologised...

OP posts:

Original poster

sameoldscene · 08/03/2017 17:50

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 08/03/2017 17:51

thanked me and apologised...

For what?

highinthesky · 08/03/2017 17:53

How odd. I thought one class A (photographic evidence) and one class B (proof of address) was enough to prove ID. Your DBS for the last post won't cover this one.

As a volunteer, will you ever actually be left alone with children?!

Original poster

sameoldscene · 08/03/2017 18:03

Exactly high only reading. I'd expect to be in the classroom.
I totally understand she'd need a new one... but the old one was part of my paperwork etc... :)
The teacher was so happy that l could help. I will have to explain to her tomorrow morning.

OP posts:

Noodoodle · 08/03/2017 18:12

Hmm when I did volunteer reading (was known to school) I had a dbs check done and all I brought was my passport and and one bill. This was separate room reading as well, but was part of a programme for local workers to "give back" so to speak. When I did in class reading and volunteer parent helping for a regular out of school journey maybe 5 years back, I had no dbs (for that, had one for general job) and there was no formal paperwork, just that they knew me from my dc...I'd much prefer too much paperwork to how they let me do it back then tbh but that's quite a lot they want from you OP.

Original poster

sameoldscene · 08/03/2017 18:53

Haha- l know. I'm volunteering not looking for a headship!

OP posts:

Lilypurple · 08/03/2017 19:28

I just did mine online and then they tell you what your options are for taking proof of address or name etc. Not sure why the secretary is telling you what to bring in.

EweAreHere · 08/03/2017 19:29

Sounds well over the top.

nodramaforthellama · 08/03/2017 19:33

You just take in the documents you've selected and filled in the details of online. They then check them .. enter the required info and you'll have your DBS. Definitely don't need that much stuff though.

Ihatethedailymail1 · 08/03/2017 19:33

You should not need a new dbs just because you are moving jobs. It depends on the age of it. You should also register with the govt. update service.

nodramaforthellama · 08/03/2017 19:34

You'll have your DBS in a week or so even!!

Also I have a job where I have a full disclosure when I started volunteering at the school I showed them this and they let me volunteer while waiting for my volunteer DBS with them to come through as I wasn't left unsupervised with the children.

Mumzypopz · 08/03/2017 19:44

I know it sounds a pain to have to provide all these things, but personally I wouldn't want someone who didn't have the correct DBs checks done near my child.

Original poster

sameoldscene · 08/03/2017 20:44

I'm all for the proper checks - done them enough times
Mainly on- line as a previous poster said. My most recent was 2015. I was left alone with a whole class just two weeks ago- so l guess ( although l understand it) l'm slightly pissed off!
Thank you all for your opinions/ help:)

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 09/03/2017 05:35

Haha- l know. I'm volunteering not looking for a headship!

Makes no difference whatsoever. The checks would be the same for any position in the school. If anything, I would rather volunteers were checked more rigorously than paid staff. At least when someone is being paid they have their career and salary to protect - less likely to be motivated by anything dodgy. No reflection on you, of course!

But seriously, why should the receptionist be apologising to you?

NormHonal · 09/03/2017 06:14

I had this when I "renewed" my DBS at the school. Bearing in mind that I still had a valid DBS at that point with the school, and also through work, where I work with children. No, wasn't enough for the school office staff. Had to produce all sorts of documents and wait for the new DBS.

I also know friends who are teachers in other schools who've had the same thing.

I understand the checks are there for a reason, but some of the admin around it can be OTT and time-wasting, depending on who implements it.

I don't volunteer in school anymore.

DancingPenguin1 · 09/03/2017 06:37

Most DBS's are not portable (transferable) so you would definitely need one done, they are the same whatever position you're in. They do ask for a number of documents but they should have provided you with a clear list to start with.

hesterton · 09/03/2017 06:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

sameoldscene · 09/03/2017 07:41

The receptionist behaved as if she was doing me a favour!
I'd given her an appropriate selection of ID.
Something like:
"Gosh, so sorry still don't seem to have enough documents- would you mind coming back with more"
This is the 'front woman' for the school. Makes perfect sense to behave politely and represent the school positively.
In this school l'm just a parent
bust
I won't be put off volunteering - l know this school particularly requests it! :)

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 09/03/2017 09:25

I don't get what she did that made you feel that way?

CurlsandCurves · 09/03/2017 09:34

i work for a compan that processes dbs applications.

There is no time limit for how long a dbs check lasts, which I've always found odd. It's down to the employer whether they choose to take an applicants existing dbs check or get the applicant to have another one done to cover their own backs. Belt and braces type thing, you might have a valid dbs certificate but t least the employer can say they got one done for their own peace of mind.

CurlsandCurves · 09/03/2017 09:38

And @dancingpenguin is right, they should have given you a list of valid documents so you could choose which ones to bring in. Although I do always advise to bring as many as poss in case some are not valid and you're not aware. So many driving licences ive seen with old addresses on, documents out of date, in previous names, etc.

foodtime · 09/03/2017 09:40

She sounds like a twat OP. Sadly a lot of receptionist/ secretaries seem to really love that tiny bit of power they have.

I volunteer in a volunteering centre. We pair people with the correct Position for them . This sort of behaviour is what puts people off volunteering. I would complain about her manner, if she's put you off she's most likely put others off too.

Original poster

sameoldscene · 09/03/2017 10:26

This particular school has mentioned many times throughout their school website - that they really need volunteers. Listening to reading isn't my favourite thing to do - but as my 'training' is very recent, l could see how l might be able to help.
This secretary has a huge amount of 'power' - l know she does lots of other things as she has been there since dot!
I really feel that as she sits in a welcoming role - she needs to remember that, and be mindful to encourage parents to help out.
I think as her attitude was so 'take it or leave it' with me , l didn't like it.
In the grand scheme of things, it really is no big deal. I just thought ld check what others felt/knew.
Of course l will still help- l know how hard it is to fit readout during the day. :)

OP posts:

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