Want to find a job at a school? To work with children in the UK, you will need a DBS check. If you are already a teacher, teaching assistant or nursery nurse, this may be something you are familiar with.

We’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions about DBS checks. If you’d like to know more about jobs at a school near you or have another question you’d like answered, call Smile Education on 0121 392 6570.

What does DBS stand for?

DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service.

What is a DBS check? 

A DBS check is carried out on a person to search for criminal convictions, cautions, warnings and other relevant information that may be held on their record.

The check helps identify those who may pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults. DBS checks prevent these individuals from engaging in work or activities that may put vulnerable people at risk.

What shows up on a DBS check?

The type of information that may show up on a DBS check includes, but is not limited to: 

• Criminal convictions, both current and spent. 
• Cautions, warnings, reprimands, and final warnings. 
• Information held by local police forces, including intelligence that has not led to a criminal conviction. 

What DBS check does a teacher need?

A teacher needs an enhanced DBS check to work at a school, as well as a barred list check.

What kind of DBS do I need to work at a school? 

As you’ll be working with children in a school setting, you’ll need an Enhanced Child Workforce DBS Check.  

What’s the difference between standard DBS check and an enhanced DBS check?

Enhanced DBS checks contain more information than standard DBS checks. Enhanced DBS checks include all the information on a person’s criminal history as well as additional details such as non-conviction information from local police.

An enhanced DBS check is essential for those wanting to work with children or vulnerable adults, and an individual cannot apply for it themselves.

Can I work at a school without a DBS check?

No. You must have a DBS check to work at a school in the UK. Not only is a DBS check essential for teachers and teaching assistants but also includes administrators, caretakers and other non-teaching staff.

Why do I need a DBS to work at a school? 

A DBS check is required when working at a school in order to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing.  

The check helps to identify if an individual has a criminal record and, most importantly, if they have been barred from working with children.

Having this check in place reduces the risk of harm to children.

How do I get a DBS? 

Enhanced DBS checks must be coordinated by an employer.

During the registration process, Smile Education will ask you to provide us with a number of documents as well as the information needed to complete this process for you.  

How much does a DBS cost in 2025? 

A DBS in 2025 costs £59.40.

If you’re registering with Smile Education, this can be paid quickly and easily by bank transfer - we will supply you with our details upon registration.  

The good news is that once you have completed 25 days of work with us (within 13 working weeks), we can refund this for you. Your DBS must also be added to the Update Service.

If you are part of a SWAP, then funding may be available to help you pay for your DBS. Please speak with your point of contact about this and they will be able to advise you further.   

How long does it take to get a DBS? 

Typically, it can take anywhere from several days to a few weeks for the check to be completed and for the results to be returned.

The exact time frame will depend on a number of factors, including the level of the check being performed, the workload of the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any additional security checks that may be required.  

The Disclosure and Barring Service doesn’t provide a timeframe for this, and times do vary. In our 15 years of experience in education recruitment, we’ve seen checks be completed in a day, but others have taken months. 

How long does a DBS check last?

There is no official expiry date for a DBS check. However, many schools, employers and agencies will require that DBS checks be updated regularly in order to comply with compliance standards.

If you are registered with Smile Education, DBS checks are valid for one year from issue (if they are not added to the update service). We are an APSCo Compliance+ accredited agency, which means we go above and beyond usual safeguarding standards.

After this point, you will then be required to pay for a new DBS in order to continue working in our partner schools.  

Those on the Update Service do not expire as they are continuously updated.  

What is the DBS Update Service?

The DBS Update Service is an online subscription service offered by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

It allows those who have undergone a DBS check to keep their DBS certificate up to date, rather than having to apply for a new check each time they start a new role. 

Why use the DBS Update Service?

By subscribing to the DBS Update Service, your DBS certificate will be updated on an ongoing basis, as long as you continue to pay the annual subscription fee. The service currently costs £16 per year. 

Putting your DBS on the Update Service saves you time and money. Here’s how: 

• You’ll only pay £16 a year instead of £59.40. 
• You’ll have more opportunity to work with multiple agencies without having to pay for a new DBS each time. 
• You won’t have to wait for a new DBS to process, which can sometimes create a barrier to work. 

How long do I have to put my DBS on the DBS Update Service? 

You must add your DBS to the Update Service within 30 days of your date of issue.  

You can add your DBS to the Update Service here. 

If you have any questions about DBS checks that are not covered here, please get in touch. As always, our number one priority at Smile Education is safeguarding – so we want to make sure you’re as up to date with information about DBS checks as possible.

Looking for work at a school and want to know how to get started? Call us on 0121 392 6570 or explore our current school jobs today.