If you work in a position that requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, you’ll know that it’s a vital part of safeguarding vulnerable individuals. But what happens when your DBS certificate is about to expire, or you want to change jobs? In this post, we’ll answer all your questions about DBS renewal and the DBS Update Service.
What is DBS renewal?
There isn’t a specific product or service that goes by ‘DBS renewal’ – it’s just the process of getting a new DBS certificate. There is a way of keeping your certificate up-to-date indefinitely, so you won’t have to renew it, but more on that later.
Do I need to renew my DBS certificate?
It depends! Below are a few reasons you might need to renew your DBS check by getting a new one done:
– You are changing roles at your current work, making you eligible for a different type of DBS check.
– You are getting a new job, but your current DBS check is too old for the new employer to comfortably accept.
– Your employer has decided that it is company policy to renew staff DBS check every X years.
– The regulatory body for your industry has specified that DBS checks must be renewed every X years.
In many cases, you won’t need a DBS renewal at all!
Do I Need to Renew my DBS When it Expires?
DBS certificates are simply a record of the details up to the date they were performed, so they’ll never technically ‘expire’.
If a lot of time has elapsed since a person’s last check, it may be necessary (either legally, or at the employer’s discretion) to renew the DBS check, as the candidate’s criminal record may have changed since their last check. This doesn’t mean the previous DBS is expired or invalid, though.
How do I Renew my DBS Certificate?
To complete a DBS renewal, you need to pay for, and fill out, a new application form and submit it to the DBS. The DBS will carry out a criminal record check and issue an updated certificate, disclosing the same information shown in your previous certificate*, along with any new information.
*There are some situations where information shown in an old DBS certificate will not be disclosed in an updated one. For example, a Basic DBS check only shows unspent convictions – so if a conviction becomes spent in between two Basic checks, the second Basic certificates won’t show it.
What is The DBS Update Service?
The DBS Update Service is an official government subscription service that helps you to keep your DBS certificate up to date and allows employers to see if there have been any changes to an individual’s DBS status. Subscribers won’t ever need a new DBS check unless they change roles, or commit an offence!
By subscribing to the service, you can avoid having to apply for new DBS certificates in workplaces that require regular checks. Instead, you’ll pay an annual fee of £16, and the government provides a login. Here, anyone with the login can view whether the subscriber has had any new information added to their DBS
For businesses that require regular checks, the Update Service is more economical than getting every member of staff a yearly check for their DBS renewal.
The DBS Update Service, despite the name, does not automatically update an individual’s certificate – it just lets them and their employers know if & when a new certificate needs issuing.
How do I Subscribe to The DBS Update Service?
You need an initial DBS certificate in order to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. This can be done online, any time within 28 days of your certificate being issued.
To sign up, you need your DBS certificate number, and you can pay the annual subscription fee online. Once subscribed, you’ll be able to log in to your account and check your status. Employers provided with the login details can also check this information.
Automatic Update Service Checking
One downside of the DBS update service is that each user’s account needs to be regularly checked for changes to their criminal record. Counterintuitively, the Update Service doesn’t update you if it detects a change! Aaron’s Department offers an exclusive service that automatically checks and notifies you if there have been any changes, saving you the time and hassle of doing it yourself.
If you are an employer looking to sign your staff up to the DBS Update Service through an Umbrella Body, consider using Aaron’s department. Here’s a link to our page for employers.
Summary: DBS Renewal
DBS renewal is a crucial process for anyone who works in a position that requires a DBS check. By renewing your employees’ DBS certificates, you can ensure that you’re meeting your responsibilities to safeguard vulnerable individuals. By subscribing to the DBS Update Service, you can make the process of DBS renewal quicker, cheaper, and more straightforward. And by using Aaron’s Department, you can make it completely hands-free!
What are the benefits of using Aaron’s Department?
Aaron’s Department, a Registered DBS Umbrella Body, offers employers a direct link to the government for processing DBS checks, as well as the aforementioned Automatic Update Service Checking System. Here are some other perks of using Aaron’s Department for your DBS needs:
Error-proof system
Identifies mistakes in real-time, ensuring a smooth application process.
Free DBS fast-tracking
Every check we receive before 4pm on a weekday is manually checked, countersigned, and sent on to the DBS the very same day. The faster we do that, the faster you get your check back.
Low-cost DBS Renewal
Our DBS check admin fees start at just £5.45 + VAT
Tracking system
Built into our system, allowing for easy monitoring.
Free registration
Our 3-step, registration process is fast and free – you could have your Enhanced DBS results within hours of signing up.
Eligibility guidance
This is provided on our website and through our fantastic customer support. Any questions? Drop us an email!
We hope you’ve answered all your DBS renewal questions, but if there’s anything else you’d like to ask, just let us know at contact@aaronsdepartment.com or reach us on +44 113 877 0171. We’re always happy to help.