DBS Application Guidance

Details on How to Apply for a DBS Check

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks

If your course includes a placement involving volunteering or working with vulnerable adults or children then you will be required to undergo an enhanced criminal disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

What is an Enhanced Disclosure?

Enhanced disclosures reveal convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. Whilst enhanced disclosures reveal both spent and unspent convictions they will not show convictions considered protected as per the DBS filtering guidance.

The enhanced disclosure also includes additional information held by local police that is reasonably considered relevant to the workforce being applied for (adult/child).

DBS Update Service

If you are already subscribed to the DBS Update Service you will not need a new certificate, as long as your existing subscription includes a certificate that has the appropriate barred lists and workforce (child and/or adult).

Applicants not currently subscribed to the Update Service can do so after they submit their application. However, you must do so within 30 days of the date of issue of your certificate.

More information on the Update Service can be found on the DBS website.

Applying for an Enhanced Disclosure

Swansea University uses an online system to apply for DBS checks, via First Advantage. Students that require an enhanced disclosure will be sent a link prompting them to self-register. This email will include:

Organisation Pin
Secret Word
The position you are applying for

If you have been told that you need a DBS check and require the application link to be sent to you, then please email your faculty.

When starting your application select the ‘Register’ option on the right-hand side of the screen.

If you have any of the following then you will be asked to provide details:

National Insurance Number
Valid Driving Licence
Valid Passport
Valid national ID card

When you are prompted to provide your position title, it is important you enter this exactly as it appears in your email. Failure to do so may cause a delay in your application.

There will be a question asking you whether you would like to be kept informed about the progress of your DBS application. We would recommend that you tick this box so you know when it has been approved.

Once completed you will need to print out a document to take to a Post Office that offers the CRB & ID Verification Service, together with your original identification documents to be verified. Please see further below regarding valid Post Office locations. You will also need to arrange payment of your DBS Clearance check at the Post Office. The cost for the DBS check is £53.42.

Do You Need a DBS AND Police Certificate?

If you have been resident both inside and outside of the United Kingdom for more than three consecutive months in the previous five years, the following table contains some examples of the criminal record histories that will be required.

The Home Office has provided guidance on applying for criminal checks in most countries.

Residence for last 5 years	DBS Requirement
In UK	DBS Disclosure
In UK except for period of 3 consecutive months abroad	DBS Disclosure Certificate of Good Conduct/Check from relevant police station.
Abroad	Certificate of Good Conduct/Check from relevant police station.
Abroad and then resident in UK for less than 3 months	Certificate of Good Conduct/Check from relevant police station.
Abroad and then resident in UK for more than 3 consecutive months	DBS Disclosure Certificate of Good Conduct/Check from relevant police station.
Abroad for last 5 years, but prior to this were resident in the UK	DBS Disclosure Certificate of Good Conduct/Check from relevant police station.

Finding a Post Office

Please note that not all Post Offices perform the DBS identification checks. To find a Post Office that offers this service please use the Post Office branch finder. Filter locations that include the “CRB & ID Verification Service”. Please DO NOT select DBS ID VALIDATION SERVICE as this service is not compatible with the barcoded sheet you will be taking in for verification.

For further assistance, please refer to the First Advantage user guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Track My Application?

Applicants can track the status of their application by via the First Advantage platform. Alternatively, you can use the DBS tracking service.

When Will I Receive My Results? Do I Need to Send You My Certificate?