Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

For those helping regularly or staying overnight on camps, a completed DBS check must be in place. The Scout Association will not accept DBS certificates issued by other organisations (although you may be able to use the Scouts DBS certificate elsewhere).  There is no charge for completing a DBS check. There are more FAQs here

Step 1

Complete an Adult Information Form and return it to your group contact.

Step 2

Identity check - this is typically completed at HQ in Montpelier park at a mutually convenient time.

To confirm your identity, we need to see the originals of your identity documents.  A full list of documents that can be used are listed below, but typically the following are enough. 

We need to see three documents:
1)   A valid Passport (any nationality),
2)   UK Driving Licence (photocard)
3)   A utility bill from the last 3 months OR Council Tax Form from the last 12 months

Additional information document detail
We need to see 3 documents in the same name, showing current address, where applicable.
- Applicants must be able to show one document from Group 1 and two further documents from either Group 1 or Group 2A or 2B.
- If the Applicant does not have any of the documents in Group 1, then they must be able to show one document from Group 2A and two further documents from either Group 2A or 2B.
- At least one of the documents must show the applicant's current address.
- Applicants must use documents from Group 1 if they have them.

Group 1 Documents
1) Passport - any nationality
2) Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
3) Driving Licence from UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EU
4) Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
5) Birth Certificate – issued within 12 months of the applicant's birth (UK and Channel Islands)

Group 2A Documents
1) Driving Licence (UK & Channel Islands)
2) Firearms Licence (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands)
3) HM Forces ID Card (UK)
4) Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK & Channel Islands ONLY)

Group 2B Documents
1) Correspondence/ID Cards ie: Card carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK & Channel Islands)
2) EEA National ID Card
3) Letter from Head Teacher or College Principal of UK institution (only to be used by 16-19 year olds in full-time education if other documents cannot be provided)
4) Work Permit/Visa (residence permit) (UK)

OR 1 or 2 of the following  Documents issued within the last 12 months
    Council Tax Statement (UK & Channel Islands)
    Financial Statement, eg pension, endowment, ISA (UK only)
    Mortgage Statement (UK only)
    P45 Certificate statement (UK & Channel Islands)
    P60 Certificate statement (UK & Channel Islands)

OR 1 or 2 of the following  Documents issued within the last 3 months
    Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter (UK only)
    Bank or building society statement (UK only)
    Electricity bill/statement (UK only)
    Gas bill/statement (UK only)
    Water bill/statement (UK only)
    Credit Card Statement (UK only)
    Telephone bill/statement (landline only - not mobile phone) (UK only))
    Benefit Statement, eg Child benefit, pension (UK only)
    A document from Central or Local Government, Government Agency or Local Council document giving entitlement (UK & Channel Islands)

Step 3

Once the identity documents have been confirmed, you will receive an email from dbs@thescouts.disclosures.co.uk asking you to log in to the DBS System (using link, user name and password they will provide) to complete the application.  This takes about 10 minutes to complete and you will need the identity documents used in Step 2.

Step 4

A DBS certificate will be posted to you at your home address. The group will be informed electronically that a certificate has been issued.