NEW BASIC CDF and BASIC DBS from January 2024
Dear PSO, Lead and Additional Recruiters,
This email is to inform you of a new DBS check that can be undertaken for those who do not meet the requirement for an Enhanced DBS check, which will be available from 2nd January 2024. Please see below for more information:
Enhanced Confidential Declaration Form
An updated Confidential Declaration Form (CDF) was issued by the National Safeguarding Team at the beginning of this year which is only to be completed by those who meet the requirement for an Enhanced DBS check. This form is now titled the Enhanced CDF, please see attached. An applicant completes and returns a new Enhanced CDF every three years prior to completing an Enhanced DBS or prior to a DBS Update Service check being conducted.
A NEW Confidential Declaration Form has now been devised by our Diocesan team for completion by those who do not meet the requirement for an Enhanced DBS check. This form is titled as the Basic CDF, please see attached. An applicant completes and returns a new Basic CDF prior to completing a Basic DBS check. Please note Basic DBS checks cannot be subscribed to the DBS Update Service.
The Privacy Notice should be provided to all DBS applicants with either the Basic or Enhanced CDF accordingly, please see attached. (The Privacy Notice is completed by the PCC to inform applicants as to how their data on the completed CDF is stored.)
Reminder - all DBS certificates issued in 2018, 2019 and 2020 will expire on 31stDecember 2023. Please ensure that all Churchwardens and at least three PCC members, in addition to anyone else who meets the requirement, has a valid DBS certificate issued via thirtyone:eight. If they have a DBS certificate with another organisation our team need to be informed, to confirm if this can be accepted by our organisation.
NEW Basic DBS Checks
For those who do not meet the requirement for an Enhanced DBS check, we will for the first time be introducing Basic DBS checks which can be actioned via thirtyone:eight. This includes, but not limited to those who hold the roles of: Authorised Local Preachers, Pastoral Assistants, Eucharistic Assistants, Vergers, PSO’s, and those who do not already meet the requirement for an Enhanced DBS check. Please note that the Basic DBS checks will not be a requirement for persons that hold these roles but can be advised to applicants as best practice. Please see attached document for more guidance on which roles may have a Basic DBS check.
The cost for a Basic DBS check is £24 (including V.A.T.) per application. The Diocese has agreed to pay for the first five Basic DBS checks for each parish during 2024. The parish will be required to pay for any additional Basic DBS checks they request during this time. An invoice will be raised by Finance and sent to you accordingly to arrange payment. A reminder that ID checks for DBS applications should be checked manually, any that are digitally ID checked will be charged for an invoiced accordingly.
NB: Obtaining a DBS certificate must NOT be seen as a substitute for carrying our other safer recruitment checks and processes, or as the end point of the process. The use of DBS checks forms just one part of a comprehensive selection and ongoing management process, as outlined within the Church of England Safer Recruitment guidance. Please click on the following link for more information on this and regarding DBS checks:https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-e-manual/safer...
If you have any queries regarding the above or require information on how the PCC complete the Privacy Notice, please do not hesitate to contact us at this email address or alternatively telephone 01245 294490.
Kind regards
Safeguarding Team
Tel 01245 294490
www.chelmsford.anglican.org/safeguarding
If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention, call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.
> General Safeguarding Enquiries – including DBS checks, e-learning, training or safer recruitment issues: 01245 29 44 90
> Safeguarding Duty Line – for advice/support regarding a new safeguarding concern: 01245 29 44 44
Local and national safeguarding contact details which may assist are available on our website: www.chelmsford.anglican.org/safeguarding