DBS UPDATE Sophie Draper – HR Customers and Business Development Manager Jo Reynolds – HR Team Leader (Resourcing & Support)

DBS Update Changes from 17th June 2013: Update Service Single Certificates Filtering of convictions/Change to declaration regarding convictions Changes to the Job Title field

Changes from 17th June 2013 Update Service Applicants can choose to have their DBS Certificate kept up to date and take it with them from role to role, within the same workforce, where the same type and level of check is required. Employers can check the status of individuals who have signed up for the update service online (with their permission).

Update Service (contd) Unless there is a change in status highlighted on the employer check, the original certificate can be accepted Employers still need to have sight of the original certificate and may, if permission is given by the applicant, take a copy and keep it for 6 months There is an annual subscription fee of £13 for the Update Service which is paid by the applicant when they first subscribe

Update Service (contd) Benefits: Instant checks of DBS certificates No more application forms to complete DBS certificate can be used from role to role Applying for jobs already DBS pre-checked Can register when the next check is done or within 14 days of receiving certificate

Single certificates Certificates will now only be issued to the applicant CYC will no longer be sent a copy automatically Schools will need to ask applicants to bring in their certificates and make a note of the details Monthly submission of certificate details to HR Business Centre Positive disclosures will need to be discussed with HRBC

Filtering of old and minor convictions New legislation introduced as a result of Court of Appeal judgement that the release of a person’s full criminal record information infringed Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights An adult conviction will be removed from a DBS certificate if: 11 years have elapsed since the date of conviction; and it is the person’s only offence, and it did not result in a custodial sentence For those 18 or over at the time of the offence: An adult conviction will be removed from a DBS certificate if:  11 years have elapsed since the date of conviction; and  it is the person’s only offence, and  it did not result in a custodial sentence Even then, it will only be removed if it does not appear on the list of offences which will never be removed from a certificate. If a person has more than one offence, then details of all their convictions will always be included. An adult caution will be removed after 6 years have elapsed since the date of the caution – and if it does not appear on the list of offences relevant to safeguarding. For those under 18 at the time of the offence: The same rules apply as for adult convictions, except that the elapsed time period is 5.5 years The same rules apply as for adult cautions, except that the elapsed time period is 2 years.

Filtering of old and minor convictions (contd) An adult caution will be removed after 6 years have elapsed since the date of the caution Juvenile convictions and cautions will also be removed – half the time above Sexual, violent and repeat convictions will never be removed

Filtering of old and minor convictions (contd) Currently, question e55 asks the applicant: ‘have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence or received a caution, reprimand or warning?’ Applicants should now ignore this question and instead answer as if they were being asked: ‘do you have any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings?’ Need to make applicants aware of this change to ensure the law is followed correctly

Changes to Position applied for section x61 Non conviction information will be released based on the type of workforce and not actual job title. Needs to be completed as follows: X61 Line 1: Write in one of the following to indicate the relevant workforce(s) Child Workforce Use this for any position that involves working/volunteering with children. Adult Workforce Use this for any position that involves working/volunteering with adults. Child and Adult Workforce Use this for any position that involves working/volunteering with children and adults. Other Workforce Use this for any position that does not involve working/volunteering with children or adults e.g. security guard. X61 Line 2: Enter a description of the ‘Position Applied For’ up to 30 characters.

New guidance, flowcharts and FAQs to be emailed to schools Next steps New guidance, flowcharts and FAQs to be emailed to schools Additional information sessions can be set up, if you require Future developments We want to bring in EBulk – no more paper application forms

Contacts For Disclosure issues and information: Customer Services 0870 90 90 811 For Barring issues and information, please phone: 01325 953 795. Email: customerservices@dbs.gsi.gov.uk Websites: www.gov.uk/dbs Use our online tracking service to check the progress of DBS applications by visiting www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dbs-online-tracking