DBS FAQs

What is a DBS?

A DBS is a check undertaken to ensure your suitability for the role in terms of previous convictions or any other barrier to prevent you from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Does it cost anything?

No! There is no cost to carrying out digital verification for the DBS check. However, there is a small fee of £12.75 for in person verification through the Post Office, which you can claim back from Human Resources via the link sent in their DBS email. Therefore, the DBS is free, but depending on which verification option you choose, you may need to pay a fee upfront initially.

If you are an international student, you may also need to cover the cost of a criminal records check from your home country. Please consult this website for more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

Do I need a DBS?

The following projects require a DBS to be undertaken before you can volunteer:

Hot Meals Project

Sbectrwm

Sblat

Volunteer Drivers

Wellbeing Buddies

Are these paid positions?

These are unpaid positions, but you'll be paid in experiences and skills development you can transfer to job applications! 

How do I apply?

If you are participating in any of the projects mentioned above, Undeb Bangor will contact HR to undertake a DBS check. You will be contacted by a member of staff from HR via email with a link to begin the online application process. Also, you will need ID documentation which you will need to take these to the post office to confirm your identity.

Could I already have a DBS that applies?

You may have already obtained a DBS through us or the university that applies to volunteering on the project you’ve applied to.

If you have a DBS certificate from volunteering with Undeb Bangor previously, please send a copy to volunteering@undebbangor.com, alongside information on how it was obtained.

If you have a DBS certificate and are on the update service, please send a copy to volunteering@undebbangor.com, alongside information on how it was obtained.

If you have a DBS certificate as part of any of the courses below, please send a copy to volunteering@undebbangor.com, alongside information on how it was obtained.

If you have applied to volunteer on an opportunity involving just children, the courses below that cover that are:

MA/EDST Education (15 month course with placement)

MA/MUSED Music with Education

MA/CHY Childhood and Youth Studies

BA Childhood and Youth Studies including joint hons

PGCE Primary and PGCE Secondary

BA Primary Education

If you have applied to volunteer on opportunities involving children and adults, the courses below that cover that are:

MSc Counselling

BM Midwifery,

BN/MSc Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing (full time, part time) (on campus, distance learning and dispersed learning)

BSc Diagnostic Radiography

Dip Dental Hygiene

MA Social Work

MSc Physician Associate Studies

MSc Physiotherapy

If not applicable, you may require an additional DBS for volunteering.

I’m an international student. Can I volunteer?

The easy answer is yes! Depending on your visa conditions, you can volunteer, but please contact us at volunteering@undebbangor.com if you have any questions as there may be a limit on how many hours per week you can volunteer. Also, as an international student you will need to provide a certificate of good conduct from your home country. More information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants. Please ensure these certificates are in English, otherwise a translation fee may apply. 

What happens after I receive my certificate?

You must send it to us volunteering@undebbangor.com so we can see it’s been approved. You may then start volunteering. Please also send your certificate of good conduct to the same email address (if applicable). 

I really want to volunteer but don’t have my DBS certificate. What do I do?

Unfortunately, you cannot volunteer if you haven’t shown us your DBS certificate if your project requires a DBS check. There are however a range of other volunteering opportunities which don't require a DBS, so go check them out! 

What happens if I don’t have the documentation that is requested?

Please email us at volunteering@undebbangor.com and we will send your query to our colleagues at the university.

Do I choose a digital verification check or an in-person check?

You can only choose the digital check if you have current (in date) documentation: UK / Irish Passport, Driving Licence, National ID card or Biometric Residence Permit. In order to confirm your personal details, you are required by DBS to supply a minimum of 3 identity documents.

Which Post Offices carry out in person ID verification?

Bangor Post Office no longer offers the verification service currently and Wrexham, Colwyn Bay and Holyhead Post Offices do. Please check out https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/dbs-checks. You will need to filter by clicking on 'identity checks' to find the post offices that offer this service. 

If you're unable to get to one of the branches listed above or live in Bangor/too far away from them, colleagues from HR have kindly offered to undertake this check for you. Check your emails for any up-and-coming DBS Drop-In sessions at the Students' Union, which we hold with HR. If you’re unable to attend one of these, please contact rhian.roberts@bangor.ac.uk to organise a meeting. Before either, please ensure you complete the DBS process online up until the ID (last) stage and bring all the relevant documentation to complete the verification.