DBS update service

The government has been working on reforming disclosure checks. The first set of reforms came into effect in September 2012, and in December the CRB changed its name to the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Further changes were introduced on 17th June 2013.

England and Wales only

This only affects England and Wales. An entirely different scheme runs in Scotland and different processes are in place in Northern Ireland.

Update service

On the 17 June the DBS launched a new update service. From this date anyone who applies for their next disclosure check can choose to subscribe to the service online – it’s free for volunteers and £13 for employees. This service allows staff and volunteers to keep their disclosure certificate up to date, so that they can take it with them between organisations.

Single certificate

As part of the launch of the update service, the DBS will no longer send a copy of the results of the check to the MS Society – the disclosure certificate will only be sent to the person applying for the check.

This means that when a volunteer receives their disclosure certificate they must send it in to the Volunteering team (either the original or the photocopy).

Further information

You can find further information about disclosure checks, including the update service on the staying safe section of the website

Any questions?

Contact the Volunteering team on 020 8438 0944 or email [email protected]