The update service is an online subscription that enables you to keep your DBS certificate up to date, allowing organisations to check the certificate of an employee or volunteer online, with their consent.
Please note: The update service is not suitable for checks on members of clergy, Licensed Lay Ministers, anyone holding a Bishop’s licence or other roles that can be based at home as the update service check does not include a “home” check of other people living at the property.
It can be useful if someone expects to need another DBS disclosure within two years for a similar role within the same workforce. The service is free for people in volunteer roles and costs an additional £13/year for those in paid posts, although this fee is not covered by the Diocese.
You must apply to join the update service within 28 days of the original DBS certificate being issued. Update service checks can be done within 24 hours. Read more on the thirtyone:eight website.
We do recommend that your parish especially encourages volunteers to sign up to the update service as it involves significantly less paperwork for both the applicant and parishes, as well as being good stewardship of resources.
In order to apply for an update service check, recruiters need to see the original DBS certificate, official photo ID (passport or driving license) and complete a form giving permission to access the update service (below). A copy of these should be emailed to the safeguarding team to do the update service check. The parish recruiter will be informed of the outcome directly via email.