DBS checks FAQs

If you are going to work as a paid employee, or as a volunteer for an organisation, and your work will bring you into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults, you may be asked to apply for a DBS check. For example, if you are going to work as a teacher, care worker, scout or guide leader, registered childminder, sports coach, youth club worker, foster carer or adoptive parent.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 2001 lists the types of work, employment or professions for which you can legally obtain a DBS check. You can also contact the Isle of Man Vetting Bureau which will offer advice.

Alternatively, your employer is best placed to assess whether a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure is required for a specific role, bearing in mind their other statutory and legal obligations.

You will need to speak to the person who told or asked you to apply for a DBS check. You will need to complete a paper application form handed to you by the person who asked you to apply.

If you are trained as an Identity Verifier, you will need to complete a declaration form. You need to send this in with the DBS application form.

DBS application forms are available only to organisations that are registered directly with the DBS or who use the services of an organisation that is registered with the DBS. The DBS does not currently offer an electronic application form or a form that can be downloaded from the internet. If you need a form, you will need to speak with the person who told or asked you to apply for a check.

Current legislation does not allow the self-employed or individuals to apply for a DBS check, as they cannot ask an exempted question of themselves. It is for the recruiting organisation asking the exempted question to assess an applicant's suitability.

However the following options are available:

• A self-employed person can apply for a DBS check by registering with an agency.
• Individuals are able to obtain a basic check from our colleagues at Disclosure Scotland (see link, right). This provides individuals with details of any 'unspent' convictions.
• Alternatively, individuals are able to make a subject access request to their local police force under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2001, which will provide up-to-date details of any criminal records in the UK.

Payment for a DBS check can be made either by cheque (payable to Isle of Man Government) or by postal order. If you are a volunteer, the DBS will issue the check free of charge. The DBS definition of a volunteer is ‘a person who is engaged in any activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travelling and other approved out of pocket expenses) doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives.

You will have to provide evidence of your name, address and date of birth to help the person who asked you to apply confirm your identity. You can download a guidance booklet on how to complete the form.

You will be asked to provide either:      

• 3 documents (one group 1 document, plus any 2 from groups 1 or 2) or
• 5 documents from group 2.

If you have any questions, please call the DBS. A language interpretation service can be requested if required.

Yes. If you have received the result of your DBS check and there is an error contained in it, or you wish to dispute any of the information revealed, please call the DBS enquiry line immediately on 0870 90 90 811. Disputes must be raised with the DBS within 3 months of the date of issue of the disclosure.

This will depend upon your employer and in some cases the law. Please check with your employer directly.

The DBS aims to process 90% of standard checks in 10 days and 90% of enhanced checks in 4 weeks from receipt of application. 

If your complaint is about any matter prior to the submission of the application form to the Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland, then a complaint can be made against the Department via the standard IoM Government complaints process.  A complaints form can be found on the Chief Executive’s Office page. 

If your complaint is about any matter that arises during, or after, the subsequent processing of a DBS application form by that organisation, then the complaint must be submitted to the DBS directly. Further information can be found on the DBS complaints procedure page. 

If your complaint is about any matter that arises during, or after, the subsequent processing of a Disclosure Scotland application form by that organisation, then the complaint must be submitted to Disclosure Scotland directly. Further information can be found on the Disclosure Scotland complaints page.