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Original poster

DBS check for yr 11 16yo for part time work

36 replies

Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2019 08:52

DS was 16 in Sep and did a pool life guarding course in Oct half term then applied to the sports centre attached to his school and got a job.
He needs to have DBS check but there is a problem with him supplying them with ID.

They have had his passport which is fine but need a bank statement or similar with his address.
He had an account which he got annual statement on but didn't save, and now has a Santander account with online statements which aren't good enough.

He seems to be going to be going round in circles with then, and meanwhile isn't getting paid.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
AnneOfCleavage · 08/02/2019 08:57

Would the bank be able to print out a one off bank statement if you go in in person to ask? This is one reason why I keep one account as a paper account so I have proof for these inevitable queries.

My DH has just had his DBS done but had no valid passport (had expired) and his driving licence didn't have his middle name on which his DBS form did and it was still accepted so I think they are being picky.

Boxlikeahare · 08/02/2019 09:00

Cant you print off the Santander statement, I had to renew my DBS check recently and I just printed off my bank statements.

lljkk · 08/02/2019 09:02

Child benefit letters, are they recent enough? Mine name who the child is living with me.

IceBearRocks · 08/02/2019 09:03

He shouldn't be working without the DBS and a lack of DBS won't stop him being paid.....

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 08/02/2019 09:03

Do you have any DWP letters that would work? His name and (your) address on something about child benefit?

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 08/02/2019 09:07

Bank would probably send him something by post if asked, has he called them?

UrbaneSprawl · 08/02/2019 09:08

Check www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-the-applicant-must-provide for the actual rules. You’ll notice the last thing on the list is “letter from school or college principal”, presumably to cover just this sort of eventuality.

handmademitlove · 08/02/2019 09:09

The official guidelines are here

PandaG · 08/02/2019 09:12

I think a letter from school will suffice if no other options are available. (DD was looking into this recently). Might be worth investigating? She also applied for driving licence although not yet intending to learn - useful as easily transportable id.

PandaG · 08/02/2019 09:13

I was slow typing. @UrbaneSprawl agrees with me!

UrbaneSprawl · 08/02/2019 09:14

Sorry, forgot to add, it’s tying your DS to your current address that’s important, so if you’re using a passport and birth certificate for the first two bits, the third bit needs to have the address in (so a letter from the Head would need to say “I confirm that Cecil Squirrels, resident at 47 The Glebe, Orpington...”)

DerelictWreck · 08/02/2019 09:14

Usually, on online banking, you can print or download a statement as a pdf, and it turns it into the formal format with address etc on.

Otherwise, as PP have said just get him to go into branch and explain. What did you use for proof of address for his bank account?

Original poster
Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2019 09:15

He printed off a Santander online statement - wasn't good enough.

I agree he shouldn't be working without the DBS. Originally he did 3 shadow shifts in Dec which I imagine would be fine as he had to be accompanied, he has done monthly training in Dec and Jan which would also be fine.

He said yesterday the HR lady said she'd sort him a manual cheque as she can't put anything through the payroll system until the DBS is cleared. I don't know if this is true but I'd imagine a manual cheque is more hassle than putting it through the payroll so can't see why she'd do that if it's not true.

He had his NI letter, which I took a copy of, showing his address, but he can't find the original. I've told him to ask if the e-copy would do. He says he has already given it to them, but I'm not sure if he has given them his NI no. or the actual e-copy of the letter.

I don't think I've got any recent child benefit letters, but I did actually have a tax credit letter come yesterday which names him as I've changed my hours. I don't particularly think I should have to share details of that as it has my income and TC award details - but if it solves the problem...

OP posts:
Boxlikeahare · 08/02/2019 09:16

Also, just thinking back to when I opened a bank account for DD at 10 I had to phone the County Council who sent me a letter confirming her eligibility for school because she/we lived in catchment. That was good enough for the bank.

I now do DBS checks for people who work for me and the guidance is very useful.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines/id-checking-guidelines-for-dbs-check-applications-from-3-september-2018

So you can use a passport, a birth certificate and .....

Letter from head teacher or college principal UK - for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education - only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided Must still be valid

Boxlikeahare · 08/02/2019 09:18

Oops 😂, not slow typing .... I made myself more coffee after typing and before posting!

Original poster
Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2019 09:19

My understanding is that they have already gone through the head of year thing as one of the references they need.

He opened his Santander account himself online and just uploaded documents. The address requirement was apparently satisfied via proof of my address - he scanned in the first page of a tax credit letter, but that didn't even show him on it as those details were on the second page. I was quite surprised how easily that was opened, but at the weekend he opened one for DS2 and used the same document and it's all gone through.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2019 09:21

Okay, so it looks like he can tell them to go back to head of year and ask for confirmation from them, but specifically listing his address.

It's a bloody pain and has been going on for weeks.

OP posts:
Boxlikeahare · 08/02/2019 09:22

Cant you try passport, birth certificate and the letter then. I would be highlighting the bits in the guidelines and taking them in with the documents or emailing the head with a copy of the guidelines and asking for something that fits.

Unbelievable that the lad is working but they can't pay him!

PandaG · 08/02/2019 09:23

Head of year reference could be a personal reference about suitability for the job. Nothing to do with DBS. When I recruit volunteers to work with children I need two references and a DBS. A second letter from headteacher as above to confirm address would satisfy the DBS requirement. Pain for the school, but easiest option.

Shittybobbins · 08/02/2019 09:23

I process DBS checks at work. If he goes to his bank and asks them to print out a statement, stamp and sign it, that should be fine. We do this with anyone who only has online statements.

Original poster
Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2019 09:25

The crazy thing is that the sports centre is run by the school, and all HR dealt with by them!

OP posts:
Original poster
Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2019 09:28

And thank you all for your help.
Going into the bank seems to be the solution, complicated by the fact that he works Saturday so can't get in to town...
I'll have to see what we can do after school one day next week.
Although, it's just occurred to me that he hasn't actually closed the now dormant account and I'm still named on it, or was in October when I paid in a cheque he'd received and wanted to check I had the right account details. I'm in town today so I'll go in and see it they can help.

All this hassle might convince him there is a reason I keep telling him to tidy up his desk/room and not just have piles of paper (pigs might fly).

OP posts:
Boxlikeahare · 08/02/2019 09:30

I bet they haven't looked at the guidelines Chasing because most people will just turn up with the prescribed documents so they probably don't have to think about the letter from the head very often.

Original poster
Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2019 09:40

I've just messaged him suggesting he goes and tries to see HR at break or lunch time and runs through things, I've sent him the Gov link and spelled out what he's given them and what they need.
I've been staying out of it, he's becoming an adult and needs to sort things himself, but it's getting to the point of ridiclous and I think he needs a bit of help.

OP posts:
sashh · 08/02/2019 10:11

Just a suggestion OP but once he has his DBS it is well worth using the update service, otherwise he will have to go through this again for other jobs and possibly for uni courses.

Students often have a different address for all 3 (or more) years and finding the paperwork can be a nightmare.