The right criminal-record check depends on the work and the UK nation. A certificate is one part of safer recruitment, not permission to start any school role without further checks.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Ask the school or agency which check the role requires and whether an existing certificate can be used. The DBS Update Service can help, but it does not make every certificate suitable for every job.
Start with the right system
DBS checks cover England and Wales. Scotland uses Disclosure Scotland, including the PVG scheme for regulated roles, and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. Tell the organisation where you will work before assuming your existing check is enough.
For roles requiring a standard or enhanced DBS check, an eligible organisation normally arranges the application. Do not buy a basic check yourself expecting it to replace the enhanced check a school role may require. The organisation must establish the appropriate level and any barred-list eligibility.
What the Update Service does
The service lets an eligible employer check the status of a subscribed certificate with your permission. It must still be appropriate to the workforce, level and role. Employers may need to see the original certificate and establish your identity.
It is not a blanket promise that every school or agency must accept an old certificate. Check the current DBS applicant guidance for subscription rules and ask the employer what it needs before paying for another application.
Does a DBS certificate expire?
A certificate records information at the time of issue; there is no single expiry date that makes every certificate valid for a fixed number of years. Employers must decide what checks are necessary under the applicable rules. A date on a certificate and an Update Service status check answer different questions.
Keep checks and personal documents secure
Use the organisation’s verified process to share identity documents. Do not post a certificate or its details publicly. Ask who needs access, how documents should be supplied and whether originals must be brought to school. Your first-day checklist should reflect the school’s actual instructions.
Safer recruitment also involves other checks appropriate to the role. DBS clearance does not replace references, qualifications, right-to-work checks or school induction.
What this means for you
Before a booking, confirm that the agency and school have completed the necessary arrangements and that you know what identification to bring. If something is outstanding, ask them to resolve it; do not decide for yourself that starting is safe.
Read safeguarding on supply as well. Knowing how to report a concern matters on every booking, however recently your checks were completed.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for a new check?
Ask before agreeing to a charge. Arrangements vary; confirm the amount, purpose and any refund conditions in writing. Do not confuse a checking charge with a fee simply for finding work.
Can I use an England DBS certificate in Scotland?
Do not assume it replaces Scotland’s requirements. The organisation must establish the relevant disclosure or PVG arrangements. The official national sources below explain the separate systems.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK: criminal-record checks for applicants
- DBS: Update Service applicant guide
- mygov.scot: the PVG scheme
- nidirect: AccessNI criminal-record checks
Last reviewed: 20 September 2026. Official guidance and individual arrangements can change.