DBS Checks

Amber Valley CVS offer a quick, efficient and affordable DBS Service to voluntary groups & charitable organisations who work with children and/or vulnerable adults

Below are useful resources for the nominated DBS Person within your voluntary organisation

Introduction to DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)

On 1st December 2012 the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).  The DBS was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and merges the functions previously carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

Does your organisation have a requirement for DBS checks but your applicants don’t have the time to come to our office to complete the form?

Amber Valley CVS has the solution… We are able to carry out DBS checks on your behalf, as long as you have followed a step by step guide that we issue to you.

You will need to:

  • Nominate a person to assist applicants with completion of forms and authenticate their identification
  • Complete and return the relevant sections of an information pack we will send to you.
  • You will need to attend a training session at our Ripley offices, were you will be shown how to complete each DBS application form and also be given a starter pack.
  • Once you have completed the DBS applications, they will need to be returned to Amber Valley CVS. After checking your application forms for any errors we forward them to the DBS offices where the relevant searches on the Police National Computer and records held by the appropriate Police Force are checked. Once complete a disclosure is printed.
  • The applicant will receive a copy of this disclosure at their home address.
  • As an umbrella organisation, you can be assured that all the personal information is dealt with and stored appropriately, adhering to GDPR regulations. 
  • If you receive a check that isn’t clear it is your responsibility to ask the applicant the nature of the information, as this may/may not be relevant to the post/role.
  • This process usually takes 3-4 weeks. In the event of a delay, we can track your application on-line and keep you informed of it’s progress.

If you are registered with Amber Valley CVS and you require training on the latest legislation relating to DBS checks or how to complete your forms please e-mail DBS@avcvs.org or call 01773 512076.  

How to check the status of your applicants with on-line tracking If you are waiting for one of your volunteers or paid workers to show you their DBS Certificate, you can check its progress on-line. All that you need to access the tracking service is the application form reference number, found on the front of the application form and the applicant’s date of birth. Then follow this link: www.gov.uk/guidance/track-a-dbs-application
Since the launch of the new Update Service we’ve seen thousands of individuals subscribing and benefiting from being able to take their DBS certificate with them from role to role. Employers are also starting to see the benefits and carrying out free online status checks to see if an applicant’s DBS certificate is still up to date. These benefits are available to many more individuals and employers, they’re just not aware of our new service. This is where you can help. DBS have created two YouTube videos which explain how the Update Service can benefit applicants and employers.
  Watch the employer video here.
  Watch the applicant video here.
  PLEASE NOTE We no longer automatically receive a copy of the applicant’s DBS Certificate.  This is a decision implemented due to a change in law. This change, which is part of the government’s aim to put the individual in greater control of their own data, means the DBS will only send Certificates to the individual on whom the check was carried out. Organisations will need to ask the applicant to see their DBS Certificate.
DBS Update Service
Please check our DBS Update Service Fact Sheet for more information.