DBS Checking

NODA is an umbrella organisation for DBS checks

If you need advice on the DBS process, you can get lots of information on the government website.

You can also call NODA Membership Services on 01733 374 790 or email dbs@noda.org.uk with any questions you have.

Referred to as the ‘DBS’ the Disclosure and Barring Service, this helps societies make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with children.

There is no initial charge for sending blank application forms, but if replacement forms have to be sent repeatedly because of completion errors, an admin charge of £5 will apply.  

NODA is a registered body for DBS applications, submitting completed application forms on your behalf.  The fees are £20 for each volunteer applicant (one who does not receive any reimbursement for the role they undertake for your group other than travel and out of pocket expenses) and £70 for each paid team member.  Your group will receive an invoice for these fees when forms are received by NODA, and payable whether the application is successful or not. We will provide a step by step guide to completing application forms and will support you through the process to help to ensure applications are not rejected because of errors.

Before your group can apply for DBS checks:

1. The group needs to appoint a DBS contact. This can be any committee member of your group.  This person will be responsible for validating applicants' ID documentation and ensuring the process is carried out correctly.
2. A letter then needs to be sent to NODA and signed by two group officials (e.g. Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer) confirming who the society’s DBS appointed contact is, and providing your chosen DBS appointed contact’s name, address, telephone number(s) and email.  Please note that a DBS Contact cannot sign their own nomination letter.
3. Along with the letter, please enclose a copy of your group’s Child Protection Policy (NODA has a model Child Protection Policy template available to download on the online resources page. Please note you can email the letter (which must be signed by hand by both group officials) and policy information to speed up the process. A scanned copy of the signed letter will be accepted. Please email all information to dbs@noda.org.uk
4. Once NODA has received this information, this will be kept on file for future checks for your society.

This is a one-off procedure only EVERY 5 YEARS unless you change your DBS appointed contact in the future.

We have six documents below to assist you with the process.

1. The Easy Step by Step guide to the DBS process - This guide helps you to understand how to make an application for checking the suitability of an individual.

2. The DBS Update Service: A guide for societies - A guide to help you make use of the update service to check on the suitability of individuals to work with you if they’re a member of the update service.

3. Introduction to the new update service (societies & their members) - This guide tells you about what the DBS Update service is and the benefits available.

4. Code of Practice - This fact sheet covers the code of practice we as a registered body must follow when processing DBS Checks on behalf of members.

5. What is entailed in the various levels of DBS checks?

6. NODA abides by its Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.

7. DBS ID Checking Guidance - External link to the DBS website.