DBS update service and changing jobs

[DorotheaDiamond]

i have a DBS certificate which I got in my previous employment (school), and I’m subscribed to the update service.

now I’ve left the job can I keep using that DBS and keep getting it updated or do I need a new one? Other places (volunteer) have always been happy to take that certificate because it’s on the update service!

anyone know?

The new employer/you applies for a fresh DBS via the update service.

It is up to your new employer but most will want a fresh DBS check (as, indeed, will some voluntary organisations). The issue is that, whilst the update service confirms that there is no new information, it doesn't tell the employer whether there was any additional information on the original DBS check. From their perspective, there may be information that was disclosed to your employer that was not included on your certificate. If they don't have that information, they don't have a full picture.

Contrary to the previous poster, they cannot apply for a fresh DBS through the update service. They have to apply in the normal way.

@prh47bridge useful as always!!!

Thank you… so just up to new employers etc is good - will let them know I’ve left other one (multiple concurrent jobs ) and they can choose what to do!

although interesting that you say there may be info disclosed to employer who did the original dbs that isn’t on certificate - I wasn’t aware that there was anything like that available (in general rather than specific to me) - what sort of things would be included in that?

As far as I'm aware so long as it is the same field - in your case working with children, then you can use it.
You show the original certificate and then provide new employer with access to the update service so that they can see that there has been no updates to it.

You can add your new certificate onto the Update Service for no additional fee as well - particularly useful if you move from Adult to Child Workforce or Basic to Enhanced and then want to get a job in the original 'bucket'.

It's also useful when job hunting to be able to say 'Yes, subscribed to the Update Service' as potential employers know from that it's not going to be a long, drawn out process to get the one they need - recent new starters have been split into those whose came through really quickly and those whom are still having to be supervised at all times because the checks are taking longer, due to being 'one hit' certificates or not having a current one.

I dont think this is correct, you may want to check yourself.

This is from mind: What shows up on an enhanced DBS check?
An enhanced check contains the same information as a standard DBS check plus any extra information held about you on local police records. It will only include this extra information if the Chief Police Officer considers it relevant.

I dont think the police go behind your back as it were to tell your employer secret information about you - anything relevant is included on the certificate so you would be aware of it.

As an example, if the police disclosed that the individual was under investigation for child sex offences but had not been arrested or charged, that information would be given to the employer but would not appear on the certificate issued to the employee.

I wouldn’t want to be the HR person who had to decide what to do with that information…clear dbs, innocent until proven guilty on one hand…warning from police that you can’t tell the employee about or explain why they can’t have the job on the other!

Just noticed that there was a missing conditional in my first post. It should have said that a new employer cannot necessarily apply for a DBS check through the update service. There are a number of conditions that apply, the most important being that the new job must be for the same workforce. So, for example, if you are in a job that involves working with children and apply for a job working with vulnerable adults, your new employer cannot use the update service to get a DBS check. That applies even if the requirements for the new job are lower, e.g. you currently work with children and vulnerable adults, and the new job only involves working with children.