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DBS check

Volunteers working regularly with children or adults at risk need to complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. This enables organisations to check the criminal records of employees and volunteers, in order to ascertain whether or not they are suitable to work with adults at risk and children.

What do I need to do?

4 step DBS application process diagram

1. Register online 

You will be sent the details on how to register to your Warwick email address after you have attended a training session or your Project Leader or Volunteer Co-ordinator has sent your details to us.

2. Complete the online application form

Complete the online application form with your personal details and five year address history. Alongside the details on registering, the email you will receive includes advice on completing this application form.

3. Complete the declaration form and bring it along with your original identity documents to Student Services Reception in Senate House

As part of the application process you will need to select three identity documents to verify. DBS Document Checklist

Print off and complete the DBS and Overseas Declaration Form and take it together with your original documents to the Student Services reception desk in Senate House. Your documents will be photocopied, attested and passed to Warwick Volunteers.

Student Services Reception is open from 08.00 - 20.00 Monday to Friday and from 10.00 - 18.00 on Saturday and Sunday.

4. Receive your DBS certificate and sign up to the Update Service

Your DBS certificate will be sent to the current address listed in your application form. You will need to keep this certificate stored safely at your term time address, as you will need to show it to the school or community organisation where you are volunteering.

We recommend signing up to the Update Service. This will keep your DBS certificate up to date and allows organisations (with your permission) to check a certificate online in the future. This is optional but there is a time limit to register of 30 days after the certificate is issued.

More information on the Update Service


Resources

DBS application checklist - use this checklist to keep track of your progress in submitting your DBS application and to avoid making mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - got a question about the DBS process or the Update Service? Find answers to common queries.

DBS Document Checklist - see the full list of valid ID documents to use when verifying your application.


Lived overseas in the last 5 years?

Whilst a DBS check is a check of your criminal record in the UK, this cannot currently assess criminal records held overseas. Consequently if you have lived outside of the UK for more than 6 months in the past 5 years you need to obtain a criminal record check from the country(ies) where you have lived during that period. Each country gives a different name to this process, with common names including ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’, ‘Certificate of No Criminal Conviction’ and ‘National Police Check’. The process for applying for one of these checks is different in every country.


For more information, please visit the Certificate of Good Conduct page.

Quick links

Warwick Volunteers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.


The DBS has a confidential checking process for transgender applicants who do not wish to reveal details of their previous identity to the person who asked them to complete an application for a DBS check.

For further information please contact DBS by:

- Sending an email to the DBS sensitive applications team (sensitive@dbs.gov.uk)
- Telephoning 0151 676 1452
There is an answerphone service available for this number where you can leave your name and contact number and a member of the sensitive applications team will call you back. You should call DBS before submitting your application to WV.

Please note: this number is for sensitive applications enquiries only.