What sort of DBS Check should supply teachers have?

DBS Checks for supply teachers are an essential part of the safeguarding picture in schools. 

Teaching staff in schools, including supply teachers, are required to have an Enhanced DBS Check.

An Enhanced DBS Check will show any spent or unspent convictions or cautions the applicant has that are not subject to filtering. It will also show any information held by the applicant’s local police force that is relevant to the role in question.

A Children’s Barred List Check (previously referred to as List 99 Checks) will show whether the applicant has been barred from working with children. 

All teachers – including supply teachers – are required to have this type of check if their role involves working in regulated activity with children.

While DBS Checks have no official expiry date, teachers might require a new check when they start a new teaching role. However, once a supply teacher has received their initial DBS certificate, they can subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

This service enables teachers to keep their DBS certificate up-to-date, and allows employers to check a certificate online, with your consent. It also helps to enhance the safeguarding procedures which are so important in schools.

Supply teachers subscribed to the DBS Update Service won’t necessarily need a new DBS Check for every new post. 

If they are applying for another role that requires the same type of check within the same workforce, such as a similar supply teaching position in a school, they may be able to use their certificate again. 

However, this is ultimately up to the school, who can also request a new check if they wish.

Only employers or agencies can apply for Enhanced DBS Checks – individuals cannot apply for an Enhanced Check for themselves.

In the case of supply teachers, this will mean that the agency or school they work for will need to apply.