Safe Recruitment and DBS Checks

Safe Recruitment and DBS checks

Safe Recruitment practices are an essential part of our Safeguarding and Prevent arrangements, to ensure that all those working with children (i.e., under 18s) and Adults at Risk, including volunteers, are suitable for these activities and are not barred from doing so.  

Our Safe Recruitment procedures for staff and students may involve:  

• an application form and/or a self-declaration form which may ask applicants about unspent criminal convictions; 
• requesting references from third parties (e.g., previous employers) to explore the suitability of applicants for the role or course of study applied for; 
• asking applicants to explain any gaps in their employment or study; 
• carrying out formal criminal record checks via the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

Disclosure and Barring Service

The Disclosure and Barring Service carries out criminal record checks for specific positions and professions and a DBS certificate is required for staff and volunteers working in these specific positions and professions as part of the University’s pre-recruitment check following an offer of employment, including volunteering roles. Students on specific undergraduate and postgraduate courses may be required, as part of the course entry requirements, to have a DBS check undertaken prior to enrolment, if they will be working with children or Adults at Risk.