GBG Online Disclosures website
GBG is an umbrella body for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The criminal record checking process helps employers make safer recruitment decisions, enabling them to undertake appropriate checks on students who may come into contact with children and vulnerable groups. Eligibility for disclosures is underpinned by law. The level of the check required is dependent on the exposure and risk associated with the relationship between the individual and the children and/or vulnerable groups.
GBG provides expert advice and guidance on the regulated activity guidance and eligibility criteria to ensure all checks are legal and proportionate.
GBG have developed Online Disclosures, an online criminal record check application utilising the DBS’s e-Bulk interface, which allows electronic submission of criminal record check applications without the need to fill in a paper application form. It’s a faster, cost effective and more efficient process than paper-based applications. Our online application has been developed to take all the stress and hassle out of the process, enabling you to focus on your core activities.
There are three types of disclosure: basic, standard and enhanced.
Enhanced checksare for roles that involve regular care, supervision or training for children and vulnerable adults. The enhanced check involves an additional level of check above the Standard check – a check on local police records. Where local police records contain additional information that may be relevant to the post the applicant is being considered for, the Chief Officer of police may release information for inclusion in an enhanced check. ALL St George’s checks are enhanced for students who study on clinical programmes.
All persons applying to study on medical and healthcare programmes are required to undertake an enhanced-level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and must pass this check prior to enrolment.
St George’s uses GBG Online Disclosures to undertake an online criminal record check. All St George’s ID checks are done via an external document certification service at the Post Office. Once the DBS check has been completed, students will receive an original DBS certificate. Students must retain the original DBS certificate. It is the only copy and replacement certificates cannot be issued.
Contact GBG Online Disclosures support team via email or phone 0845 251 5000 (Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.30pm).
Document certification service (Post Office)
All St George’s ID checks are done via an external validation service (ie the Post Office). Performing checks in-house carries a high level of responsibility and risk for individuals which is why our processes do not allow member of St George’s staff to perform checks.
A Post Office ID check costs £10.50 which must be paid in cash at the Post Office.
DBS Update Service: employer guide.
All new students must register for the Update Servicewithin 30 days of the DBS certificate being issued and must ensure that they pay the annual subscription fee.
Student registration costs £13 per year (payable by debit or credit card only). Students can register for the Update Service using their e-reference number or DBS certificate number. They must do this within 30 days of the certificate being issued and must make sure they pay the annual subscription fee. If students do not renew their subscription before it ends, they will need to apply for a new DBS check and register for the Update Service again. If a student joins with their e-reference number, the application must be received by the DBS within 28 days (not 30) of the subscription being created, or the subscription will fail.
The Update Service allows:
Staff can check a student’s criminal record status on the Update Service if:
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the employer has the individual’s consent
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the employer could legally request a new DBS check for the role that the individual is applying for
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it is for the same workforce, where the same type and level of criminal record check is required.
Students who are required to attend clinical placements as part of their course can use their original DBS certificate (from when they joined St George’s) alongside the Update Service to take their certificate with them from role to role (if within the same workforce, ie on a St George’s clinical placement).
There are legal requirements for staff checking the Update Service. The employer guide also contains information about how to interpret check results.
Before carrying out a status check, you must be able to answer ‘yes’ to the following questions. If you answer ‘no’ then you cannot carry out a status check:
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Have you seen the applicant’s original certificate?
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Have you checked the applicant’s ID to confirm their identity?
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Do you have the applicant’s consent?
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Are you legally entitled to the same level of DBS certificate – enhanced?
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Does the DBS certificate only contain the exact workforce that you are entitled to know about, for the role you are recruiting for?