DBS and Safer Recruitment
Safer Recruitment and People Management
is the umbrella term given to a number of processes that you will be familiar with that are key to preventing harm from being caused in our diocese. Processes such as DBS checks, interviews and references all come together to form Safer Recruitment.
Policy Guidance
The National Safeguarding Team have put together a helpful website to guide you through the policy that can be accessed Section 9: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) | The Church of England
Safer Recruitment and People Management training
This training can be completed online and is for all those involved in the recruitment, selection and management of staff or volunteers. Completion of this training is a requirement for a number of roles under House of Bishops Guidance including:
- Line managers and anyone involved in the recruitment of Church Officers (employees, elected members, and volunteers).
- Those with responsibility for administering DBS.
- Safeguarding Officers in all Church bodies.
- Ordinands during IME 1
The link below will take you to the Safeguarding Training Portal for the Church of England. You will need to register with your email address and a password, and you can then complete the ‘Safer Recruitment and People Management’ course by clicking on the link Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal
Information for DBS Recruiters including eligibility information and guidance on DBS checks can be found here.
Online DBS Recruiter Drop In Sessions
Do you have questions about DBS eligibility or the DBS process? Why not join our new bi‑monthly online DBS Recruiter Drop‑Ins—a space to gain clarity, ask questions, and build confidence in your DBS knowledge.
You are welcome to participate for the full duration of each session or drop in and out at your leisure. There will be time at the end of the sessions to raise any questions you have as well.
Next Drop in Session
Tuesday 20th October 10:30 – 11:30
Topic: 31:8 Website Tour
Join on Zoom:
Join the DBS Drop In session Here
Meeting ID: 890 5719 0664
Passcode: 092212
Future Drop in Dates
Tuesday 23rd March 2027 10:30 – 11:30
Topic: TBC
Tuesday 25th May 2027 10:30 – 11:30
Topic: TBC
Tuesday 27th July 2027 10:30 – 11:30
Topic: TBC
Tuesday 21st September 2027 10:30 – 11:30
Topic: TBC
Tuesday 23rd November 2027 10:30 – 11:30
Topic: TBC
For more information, please contact Felicity via email: Felicity.Borkertas@lincoln.anglican.org
Related resources
Who does the Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance apply to?
A: The requirements in the guidance must be followed for the appointment of all roles within the Church body that involve substantial contact with children and/or vulnerable adults, whether the appointment is paid or voluntary.
Q: What ID do I need for a DBS check?
A: You should bring three different documents – preferably your passport, driving licence and a recent (within the past 3 months) bank statement. Further information can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines/id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-1-july-2021.
Q: How do I know if a role is eligible for an enhanced DBS with/without a barred list check?
A: An eligibility guide can be found on the 31:8 website (https://thirtyoneeight.org/help-and-resources/ebulk-recruiter-resources/) (sign in/sign up needed).
Generally, you should consider the following:
Children
If the role is unsupervised, and teaches, instructs, trains, cares for or supervises children, or provides advice on physical, emotional or educational well-being, whether frequent (at least once a week), intensive (4 + days in a 30-day period, or on an overnight basis (2am-6am), the individual is eligible for an enhanced DBS check with barring information in relation to children.
If the individual is carrying out the activities but does not satisfy the frequency test or period condition and/or are supervised, the individual is eligible for enhanced DBS check without barring information in relation to children.
Adults
If the role does not involve one of these 6 categories: Health care; personal care; social work; assisting with money, bills or shopping; assistance with affairs or transportation, then they are not eligible for an enhanced DBS check with barring information in relation to adults.
If the individual provides training, teaching, instruction, assistance, advice or guidance to an adult who receives a health/social care service (ie. In a care home) or a ‘specified activity’ (ie. Prison), on either a frequent, intensive or overnight basis, they will be eligible for an enhanced DBS check but without barring information in relation to adults.
For further information and any queries, contact the 31:8 advice service on 0303 003 1111, or disclosure@thirtyoneeight.org.
Further information and advice can also be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbs-eligibility-guidance.
Q: Do PCC members and Churchwardens need and Enhanced DBS check?
A. Not all PCC members and churchwardens are eligible for an enhanced DBS check. Where they are not eligible for an enhanced DBS check, they would be eligible for a basic DBS check. For more information around:
Q: Do adult choir members in a Church Body require an enhanced DBS check?
A: If you are an adult choir member in a Church Body which also contains children or vulnerable adults, you only require an enhanced check If you are responsible for teaching, training, caring for or supervising children or vulnerable adults. Otherwise, they would only be eligible for a basic check.
Q: How long does a DBS last?
A: A DBS check must be renewed every 3 years. Always check eligibility though, as if their role/s have changed, they may not be eligible after 3 years, or the level of check required may have changed.
Q: Is a DBS transferable within the Diocese?
A: A DBS check is no longer transferable within the diocese. If you move to a different area within the Diocese, or become a church officer in another church/parish, you will be required to complete a new DBS check.
If you have a DBS check subscribed to the update service, this can be transferable as long at the level of check is correct. For example, if you have A DBS for working with children, and your new role will include working with adults, then you will need a new DBS, as your current one will not cover you. The recruiter will need to see the original certificate so that they can be sure which level of check was carried out. This is because the update service does not provide this information. Further details about the update service can be found here.
Q: If someone is applying for a post from overseas, what criminal record check do they need?
A: The individual making the appointment should ask the applicant to obtain any criminality from their relevant embassy or police force. This means that in addition to the DBS check, the applicant must seek the additional check to cover the time they spent overseas.
If such information is not available, or there are any concerns about the reliability of the information, the employer should seek additional information/references, as well as contact the applicant’s previous employer.
Q: If I am a Lead Recruiter, but require a DBS within my church role, who can process my application?
A: An additional recruiter can complete the ID check for the lead DBS recruiter. If there is no additional recruiter, the lead DBS recruiter can approach a nearby parish, however the application will appear under their parish records.
If there isn’t a recruiter from another parish local to you, the Diocese will process your DBS application with you.
Q: What is the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard, and how do I use it?
A: The Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is a free, useful safeguarding tool. It is a way of keeping all your safeguarding records together, in an easy-to-access location. It tells you if you are up to date with the safeguarding requirements of the House of Bishops.
Q: Do I have to pay for my DBS Check?
A: The Diocese cover the cost of all Diocesan level, Enhanced DBS checks and Parish level Enhanced DBS checks. Subscribing to the update service is free for volunteers. For more information about the update service, please click here. The update service negates the difficulty of completing an online DBS application.
For guidance on applying for Basic level DBS checks, please click here.