There is no legal requirement to renew DBS checks at certain intervals, for example, every 3 or 5 years, or at all.

However, we recommend that employees in 'high risk' roles are appropriately rechecked on a regular basis.

DBS check renewals are usually once every three years and are recommended specifically for:

• staff who work on a one to one, often unsupervised basis with children, young people or adults at risk of abuse e.g. social workers, education welfare officers, home carers
• staff who work at a number of locations and/or work with minimal supervision e.g. supply teachers
• staff who have had relevant previous convictions and/or cautions
• staff who have given cause for concern
• staff who present higher risk concerns e.g. who may have spent considerable time living and/or working abroad.

There is however a general expectation that staff and volunteers working in schools will not be required to obtain DBS check renewals unless they fall into one or more of the categories above.

A headteacher is responsible for determining which occupations and areas fall into any of the above 'high risk' categories.

A headteacher is expected to speak with the Safeguarding in Employment Team, via the HR Service Desk, before determining which staff are required to be rechecked.

HR Service Desk
Email: hrservicedesk@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01296 382 233

Breaks in service

Staff who have a break in service of longer than three months are deemed to be new starters on any return to work with the school or council. They will usually be required to have a new DBS check on returning to work.

Periods of maternity leave and long term sickness absence are excluded when computing a break of service.