DBS Checks can be difficult to navigate so please do not hesitate to contact us at dbs@kcv.org.uk or on 07816 406 359 for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DBS Check?

  • A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check provides information about an employee or volunteer’s criminal history.
  • DBS Checks are designed to assist employers and Volunteer Involving Organisations in making safer recruitment decisions, as part of a wider safeguarding process.

Who can access DBS Checks?

  • There are four levels of DBS Check – Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List Checks – which all have different eligibility requirements and reveal different information about an applicant.
  • Basic DBS Checks can be used for any position or purpose and may be requested online by individuals.
  • Access to Standard and Enhanced Checks are strictly controlled by the law and must be requested by organisations for whom individuals will be working/volunteering.
  • Kent Coast Volunteering processes Standard and Enhanced Checks in its role as an Umbrella Body.

Is my organisation eligible to access Standard and/or Enhanced DBS Checks?

  • The level of DBS Check an applicant is eligible for depends on the role the person is or will be carrying out. It is illegal to obtain a higher level of check than a role is eligible for.
  • As a first step, we recommend using the DBS’s simple eligibility tool to find out which roles or activities could be eligible for a Basic, Standard, or Enhanced DBS Check.
  • The eligibility tool does not cover every role so below are links to supporting guidance produced by DBS:

Charity Sector Organisations

  • If you are a charity sector organisation working with adults, please click here and refer to Annexes A and B.
  • If you are a charity sector organisation working with children, please click here and refer to Annexe A.
  • It is rare that Standard DBS Checks will apply to charity sector organisations.

Public and Private Sector Organisations

  • If you are a public or private sector organisation, please refer to the guidance here.

How long does an application take to be processed by the DBS?

  • Each application is different and the completion time can vary with some checks taking longer, especially if they are at an enhanced level and are referred to the police for checks against non-conviction data.
  • The DBS’s target is to process 80% of Enhanced DBS applications within 14 days, and for Standard DBS applications, the target is to process them within 5 days.

Can I track the progress of an application?

  • Yes, you can track the progress of an application here. To do so, you will need the application form reference number and the applicant’s date of birth.

How long is a DBS Check valid for?

  • There is no official expiry date for a DBS Certificate issued by DBS.
  • Any information revealed on a DBS certificate will be accurate at the time the certificate was issued. You should check the ‘date of issue’ on a certificate to decide whether to request a newer one. In certain employment sectors, a new criminal record check may be required periodically.
  • You may also be required by law to carry out a fresh check of the DBS children’s and/or adults’ barring lists in accordance with sector-specific guidance.

All admin fees paid to Kent Coast Volunteering for Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks support Kent’s coastal communities to improve their quality of life through volunteering and volunteer-led projects.