The last thing you want to be doing when you’re out of work and looking for a new job is to waste money on checks which don’t result in a firm job offer. Navigating the world of DBS checks is complicated, and although some people qualify for free disclosure checks, not all workers will. Here’s our ultimate guide to all matters relating to paying for your DBS check.
Employer Often Pays
DBS checks vary in cost, depending on whether a basic, enhanced or standard check is needed. Each check serves different needs. The good news is that many employers will pay for your DBS check for you, especially if you will be working in a role where a disclosure check is a legal requirement. Other employers might ask you to pay upfront, but refund the cost of your DBS check in your first pay packet. So although the DBS checks are not free, the end effect is the same as you are not paying the cost. If your employer doesn’t make it clear about who will pay, it’s always worth asking. They aren’t going to want to lose a great member of staff over the cost of a DBS check.
Volunteers and Free DBS Checks
If you are taking a voluntary position which you will not be paid for, then you should qualify for a free DBS check. Charities don’t pay DBS fees for processing volunteer checks, but may have to pay if they are applying for a check for a paid member of staff. Some charities may choose to cover the cost of DBS checks for members of staff who don’t qualify for a free DBS check as a volunteer but they don’t have to do this.
It’s also important to remember that there are different systems for disclosure checking in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the names of the disclosure checks and the fees paid might be different. Your employer or the organisation you are volunteering with will know what system you have to apply through, and how to manage the application process.
The DBS Update Service: Long-Term Savings?
Subscribing to the DBS Update Service can be a cost-effective option, especially for those who need regular checks because they move around employers regularly, in an industry where employer funded DBS checks is not the norm. Update is a subscription service, and you just tick the box to opt in when you get your DBS check done. The system will then maintain your DBS record as current for as long as you keep paying the subscription charge. If you need a new DBS check, you can log into the DBS portal, or share a code with an employer allowing them to look at your up to date DBS information.
The only drawback with the DBS Update service – apart from the ongoing cost – is that if you switch to a different employer who operates in a sector which requires a different level of DBS check, you will still have to go through the process again.
