DBS Checks for Contractors Working in Schools – 2024 Guide

Do you need DBS checks for contractors working in schools, such as electricians or plumbers? What if they work outside of school hours, or outside the building? What if the work will only take a couple of days at the school? What type of DBS check will be needed?

We’ve been asked all these questions dozens of times, so if you’re confused, then you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve compiled the following guide discussing DBS checks for contractors working in schools, the different types of DBS checks available and eligibility for each check.

What Types Of DBS Checks Are There?

In total, there are three tiers of DBS check, and a couple of extra add-ons available with the third tier. These are:

Basic DBS Check
The lowest level, which shows unspent convictions. These checks can be requested by an individual for themselves, or by employers for their staff.
If the contractor will be working in

Standard DBS Check
This tier shows both spent and unspent convictions. Unlike Basic DBS checks, Standards can only be requested by employers.

Enhanced DBS Check
Shows spent and unspent convictions, as well as any additional information believed to be relevant by the Local Police Force (this is known as Local Police Information, and is infrequently required to be added). Like Standard checks, these can only be requested by an employer.

If the contractor will be engaging in Regulated Activity with children whilst working at the school, they will also require an additional check against the Children’s Barred List, to ensure they are not banned from working with children.

DBS Checks For Contractors Working In Schools:
Regulated Activity With Children

If the contractor’s role involves Regulated Activity with children, then they will require a Children’s Barred List check as a part of their Enhanced DBS. If not, they are still eligible for an Enhanced DBS check without the Barred List check.

The following are always classed as a Regulated Activity with children:

> Personal care for children.
> Providing healthcare by a regulated healthcare professional (whether alone or under supervision).
> Foster care, or registered childminding.
> Managing or supervising anyone else who is partaking in regulated activity.

It is unlikely any of these will apply to contractor’s roles but we have to mention it in case one does!

If the following are performed more than 4 times in any 30-day period, they are classed as a Regulated Activity with children:

> Unsupervised activities such as teaching, caring for children or driving a children-only vehicle.

> Working in ‘Specified Places’ that have the opportunity to be in contact with children, for example, a school or children’s home.
This government guide contains more information about Specified Places, but all you really need to know is that it means “somewhere we might reasonably expect there to be children”. This is the category of regulated activity that most contractors fall into.

Examples of DBS Checks For Contractors Working In Schools

What level of DBS checks for contractors such as builders, electricians, or plumbers working in schools will need is mainly dependent on the opportunity to be in contact with children.

Below, we have provided some examples of DBS checks for contractors working in schools, to demonstrate what level of check is necessary. We’ve done our best to break down some seriously complicated rules, so read carefully, and if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch and ask us.

Contractors working in schools with the opportunity for contact with children, for 4 or more days in any given 30-day period.
> Requires an Enhanced DBS check including a Children’s Barred list check.

Contractors working in schools for fewer than 4 days in any given 30-day period.
> Requires an Enhanced DBS check, but no Children’s Barred List check.

Contractors working in schools, but where there is no opportunity for contact with children (their workplace is cordoned off, they work out of hours, it’s the school holidays, etc).
> In these cases, an Enhanced DBS check is not legally required. Schools will often insist on getting an Enhanced DBS done regardless though, and Aaron’s Department will be happy to process it for you.

For this last point to be applicable, there must be no opportunity whatsoever for contact with children. For example, if the workers have to sign in & out at the school reception every day, it doesn’t matter if they work in an area sectioned off from the kids, as the reception is an opportunity for contact. In this case, and Enhanced DBS would be required, not a Basic.

Who should pay for the DBS checks?

There are no rules about who has to pay for DBS checks, it’s up to the 3 parties to agree on themselves: The school, the contractor, and the individual workers.

Enhanced DBS checks can only be applied for by an organisation on behalf of their workers. This means that either the school or the contractor will have to facilitate the application. Sometimes, individual employees are asked to foot the bill for their certificates, but this is uncommon, since DBS checks are seen as a business expense.

How to get DBS checks for contractors working in schools

To start getting DBS checks for your staff, all you need to do is sign up with Aaron’s Department (for free!) and you can have your checks being processed the very same day.

Enhanced DBS checks cost a £49.50 government application fee (the same everywhere), and we charge a £10.95 +VAT application fee. Great value compared to other Umbrella Bodies, especially considering that we don’t use any subscriptions, sign-up fees, or any other hidden costs.

To find out more about DBS Checks for contractors working in schools, you can contact us today, we will be happy to help. Simply give us a call on 0113 877 0171, or drop us an email at contact@aaronsdepartment.com, and we’ll give you a hand, no matter the question.