Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
The University of Chester, and other Higher Education Institutions who offer programmes of study where students engage in Regulated Activity, are required to ensure that these students are suitable through a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure and, in some cases, are provisionally registered with the appropriate Professional or Regulatory Body.
If you study on one of the programmes listed below you are required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure of criminal records through the DBS; a fee is charged which you will be expected to pay.
Once you have been accepted onto a place at the University, we will write to you with further instructions on how to apply for a DBS Disclosure through the University as a DBS Registered Body and subscribe to the DBS Update Service. Applications for DBS checks are made on-line; following which, you will be required to attend a DBS signing session at the University so that you can provide your proof of identity, a cheque for the fee and sign the disclosure application form. Dates of the signing sessions for the coming year are given below.
Please note that the University does not currently accept DBS checks from any other employer and therefore you will have to apply for a new check for your studies through the University as a Registered Body.
You will also be expected to self declare any cautions, convictions or any other matter that may have a bearing on your suitability to undertake Regulated Activity. The relevant self declaration form must be completed to declare whether you have any convictions. The relevant form is available in the downloads section.
Any matters revealed either by you or the DBS will be considered by the Programme Leader and may affect the University’s offer of a place. The nature of the disclosure is carefully considered and an appropriate course of action is determined and taken. In determining this action the NACRO guidance ‘Recruiting Safely’ is taken into account. While most matters will not automatically preclude an applicant from commencing study, the University reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place to anyone who fails to provide a satisfactory DBS check. Moreover, failure to declare a conviction etc. that is subsequently revealed on a DBS check may also affect your offer of a place.
Your guarantee of a place at the University of Chester remains provisional pending a receipt of both satisfactory DBS, including subscribing to the DBS Update Service, and Occupational Health clearance through the University. These conditions remain in place irrespective of whether you have enrolled or commenced studies. The University may withdraw the offer of a place, or terminate studies, if information comes to light that may have a bearing on your suitability to work with Children or Vulnerable Adults or you fail to meet the necessary suitability requirements for admission.
Programmes of study that require DBS Clearance
How do I complete my University DBS Application?
Full details of how to complete the DBS application may be found by clicking on this link: How to Complete Your DBS Application or on the link at the right of this page. Please ensure that you read the instuctions carefully before applying.
Dates of DBS signing sessions
You should only attend a signing session once you have received a letter from the University requesting that you apply for a DBS Disclosure and have completed the form on-line. However, it is imperative that you attend the signing session. Failure to do so may result in serious implications for your continued enrolment on the programme. This process MUST be completed before the commencement of your studies.
The following DBS Disclosure Signing Sessions have been announced:
PGCE programmes as follows:
- PGCE (all programmes) - 28 June 2013 at 14:00 in CSH103
- PGCE (all programmes) - 26 July 2013 at 14:00 in CSH103
September 2013 entry all programmes as follows:
- 21 August 2013 at 14:00 in CSH103
- 22 August 2013 at 14:00 in CSH103
- 28 August 2013 at 14:00 in CSH103 &
- 29 August 2013 at 14:00 in CSH103
Existing students registering for WB5001 will find the dates, times and venue of the signing sessions on the module space in Portal.
All student signing sessions will take place in Senate House room CSH103 or in CSH104 and CSH105 on the University’s Chester Campus, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ.
Due to limited space available for queuing you are requested not to attend for the signing session before the start time above to avoid excessive waiting.
Applicants should note that they may also be required to complete other relevant checks to demonstrate suitability or fitness to practice including completion of an Occupational Health Assessment. The University may withdraw the offer of a place if you fail to provide satisfactory Occupational Health clearance.
Information for Staff
Applicants for positions of employment at the University should contact Human Resources to arrange a signing session.
Tracking your DBS Application and the DBS Update Service
If you have completed a DBS application through the Univerity and attended a signing session you will receive an email advising you that the form has been dispatched to the DBS. To be able to track the progress of your application you will need the form reference number, this will be included in the email. You can track your DSB application using the following link: https://secure.crbonline.gov.uk/enquiry/.
You will also need your form reference number to subscribe to the DBS Update Service in order to allow you to complete the University safeguarding requirements.
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