DBS Checks for RGT Tutors

Jenny Kellber provides an update on recent developments from the Disclosure and Barring Service about DBS Checks.

Many people still refer to ‘CRB checks’, but in fact the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), along with the Independent Safeguarding Authority, were merged in 2012 to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

So, CRB no longer exists; the current equivalent of a CRB check is now a DBS criminal records check.

Consequently, if you have an old CRB certificate, then it is out of date.

Up-to-date verification that you have no criminal convictions can be very reassuring to potential students and their parents and it is highly probable that teachers not displaying DBS verification on their own website and publicity, and on their RGT website profile, are likely to receive fewer lesson enquiries, especially for lessons for children.

As a benefit of RGT membership, RGT has negotiated a very low cost processing charge for all RGT registered tutors with an authorised DBS umbrella organisation.

So, if you do not have a current DBS certificate, just email office@rgt.org and request an application pack.

 

Update Service

One of the main frustrations for teachers with the old CRB check system was that it could only confirm the criminal record status when the certificate was issued and a complete new CRB check would need to be re-applied for on a regular basis.

So one of the biggest improvements with the DBS system is that an ‘update service’ is available that you can subscribe to.

This means that your DBS check can be portable between jobs and you won’t need to have another DBS check done if, for instance, you start to teach at a different school.

You just need to subscribe to the update service when you apply for your enhanced DBS check or within 19 days of the certificate issue.

If you then continue to pay £13 to DBS annually your record is kept updated.

So this way you only need to apply for a full criminal record check once and then you can continue to use your existing certificate, with employers or others being able to check online to see if it is still up-to-date, hence avoiding the cost and inconvenience of having to make repeat applications.

 

DBS Verification

Once you have obtained (or if you already have) a DBS certificate, send a copy to the RGT office by post (or scan and email).

RGT can then include a dated official verification that this document has been viewed on your teacher profile page on the RGT website – highlighting your DBS credentials to potential students.

Mark any such correspondence for my attention.

Please note that DBS forms have been amended recently: the DBS will not accept forms with reference numbers beginning F007 or F008 after 1 December 2014.

RGT has a stock of the new forms DBS now require you to use.

 

Scotland and Northern Ireland

The above information applies to England and Wales only.

Tutors in Scotland should contact ‘Disclosure Scotland’ who deal with registration and tutors in Northern Ireland ‘Access Northern Ireland.’

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