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DBS Checks

ThirtyOne:Eight The Diocese of Peterborough uses ThirtyOne:Eight as the organisation to adminster the DBS checks. In the parish, a Lead…

ThirtyOne:Eight

The Diocese of Peterborough uses ThirtyOne:Eight as the organisation to adminster the DBS checks.  In the parish, a Lead Recruiter, who is sometimes also a Parish Safeguarding Officer, will process the applications for Church Wardens, PCC members, volunteers and employees.  Clergy, Readers, Licenced and Authorised Lay Ministers or Worship Leaders have their DBS application processed by the Bishop’s Office.

How do I become a Recruiter or Lead Recruiter?

Please contact the Safeguarding Team by emailing safeguarding@peterborough-diocese.org.uk with the name of your parish and/or benefice.  We will send to you the New Recruiter Application Form, with a note of the ThirtyOne:Eight account number for your parish/benefice.  The form requests a counter-signatory, which is usually the incumbent of the parish/benefice.  If you are in a vacancy, then the counter-signatory can be a church warden, another member of clergy associated with your parish, or a Reader/Lay Minister.  Email back to the safeguarding team a scanned copy (or a clear photograph) of the form, and we will forward it to ThirtyOne:Eight on your behalf.

How can I find out what DBS check someone needs?

The level of check a person requires depends on the work they are undertaking.  The three types of check used in the Diocese of Peterborough are Basic, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List.  There are no minimum requirements for a Basic check to be carried out.  To find out if someone is eligible for an Enhanced or an Enhanced with Barred List check, ThirtyOne:Eight have an interactive Eligibilty Guide which is available to all their registered users.  This is not the same log in link as for processing a DBS application, please log in to the Member Portal.

The DBS Update Service

Following requests from parishes, and the change in guidance from the National Safeguarding Team, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team have researched the practicalities of using the DBS Update Service within the Diocese.  We have consulted with the Disclosure and Barring Service, safeguarding colleagues in other dioceses, and with ThirtyOne:Eight.

Our research has found that the challenges of using the Update Service in the church context outweigh the benefits that it will bring, and therefore the Diocese of Peterborough will not be accepting the use of the Update Service.  This decision has been ratified by the diocese’s senior leadership team and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

The reasons for not using the Update Service are as follows:

  • Basic DBS checks are not eligible for the Update Service.
  • DBS checks which include “home worker” checks cannot use the Update Service.
  • The DBS certificate on the Update Service can only be used if the certificate is for the same level of check and workforce as required for the position undertaken.  For example, an Enhanced DBS certificate registered on the Update Service could not be used for a role which is only eligible for a Basic DBS check, or an Enhanced with barred list DBS certificate registered on the Update Service could not be used for a role which is only eligible for a Basic or Enhanced (without barred list) DBS check.
  • Individuals must not only register for the Update Service within 30 days of receiving their DBS certificate, they must also annually renew their subscription to keep their certificate current.  If the renewal is not done in time, then the subscription lapses, and if the DBS certificate is more than 3 years old, a new DBS check will be required anyway.
  • The employer/volunteer manager has to obtain and record signed consent to check the Update Service each time a new check is needed.
  • A new Confidential Declaration Form needs to be completed each time the Update Service is to be checked.
  • The administration for checking the Update Service is not less demanding than that of processing a new DBS application, meaning that using the Update Service does not reduce the administrative load on our Parish Safeguarding Officers and Lead Recruiters.
  • The original DBS certificate still needs to be seen to keep the Update Service valid, as an update will only advise that there has been no change to the original certificate, not what was recorded on the original certificate.