A question about DBS checks for supply.

[BrightNightTonight]

I've been a teacher for 14 years but I've always been employed by my school.

My circumstances mean I've decided to become a supply teacher from September, I took advice from a friend who has been working on supply and decided to register with 3 agencies to increase my chances of getting work.

The first agency I signed up with did my enhanced DBS and registered it with the update service, so far, so good.
When the DBS came back it said I had been checked to work with children and vulnerable adults which seemed fine as I have SEN experience so may get supply in FE.

The second agency has accepted this DBS.

The third agency I'm trying to register with say that an enhanced child & adult DBS is wrong for supply and they'll have to apply for another one. Oh yes, and they want an administration fee of £15 as well as another DBS fee.

I've tried to google it but I can't find out whether my child & vulnerable adult DBS is acceptable for supply.
Does anyone know? Or can you point me in the direction of the answer? The gov.uk website didn't give a clear answer.

The only other check I know of is something to do with healthcare workers.

As long as your update service subscription is up to date then your existing check should be fine.

Do the agency know how to check the update service?

I'm registered with one agency and I have an enhanced DBS. I can't remember exactly what it says and I'm in bed right now. However, my friend signed up with several agencies and had to get a DBS with each one. I don't understand why but I suspect its a way of either making money or ensuring you stay with the agency. It doesn't make sense at all, as anyone can check your DBS if you give them your certificate or number.

The agency should know how to check the update service @AlexanderHamilton, they are not a young agency with plenty of branches.

Yes, @Neptunesgiraffe I think it's just a way to make more money too. None of the other agencies have asked for another DBS and all of them have checked on the update service and accepted the existing one.

I've decided not to go with this particular agency, in addition to not accepting my DBS they have been rubbish in other ways too.

I'm trying to be discerning on the advice of my friend. I live near to three large cities and some agencies don't necessarily cover one geographical area but they do cover another. Some prefer to place teachers on long term contracts, some day-to-day. So I'm trying to get coverage of area and contract length.

I had an enhanced DBS for working with children and vulnerable adults when I worked in a language school. When I applied for my PGCE this wasn't accepted, as I only needed clearance for working with children. The way they explained it was that they had no right to know whether I could work with vulnerable adults or not, due to data protection. I imagine it's something similar, although the paperwork and fees are annoying, especially when you've signed up with the update service. Good luck finding work, there should be plenty

Yes you can certainly pick and choose your agencies. I found work hard to come by in the beginning as I was only available for work three days a week and couldn't travel very far as I have to drop my child at breakfast club first etc etc
This narrowed down the amount of work I got, however, as time went by and schools got to know me, they would ask for me and I got more and more work. Now (and I still only do three days) I get enough work and sometimes turn down work. And I mostly work at one school which suits me.
Anyway, I just wanted to say I agree with your friend and good luck!!

@NCPuffin how frustrating! Maybe that's the rule they are applying with me?
In a way I can understand an institution running PGCEs would want to DBS all applicants as most will have an existing DBS but they'll be different types.

My understanding with data protection - including GDPR - is that they can have any information about me as long as I approve it, though I'm no legal expert so this could be wrong. If the agency who did my DBS had asked me I would have said that I did want my DBS to cover me for both because, as I said up thread, I may get FE work or 18 - 25 work with people with EHCPs.

Thanks neptunes the same to you too.

The update service is sufficient.