Cathedral Appointments are Exeter's leading specialist independent recruitment consultancy. Our clients are based in the South West of England with the majority of our candidates based in this region.
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The Value of Joining the DBS Update Service
Posted in Candidates
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Posted by
Cathedral Appointments
Published on 17 September, 2025
If you’re applying for a standard or enhanced DBS check in the UK, it’s worth considering the DBS Update Service.
What is it?
The Update Service is an annual subscription (£16/year, free for volunteers) that keeps your DBS certificate current and lets employers check its status online. You must join either while applying for your DBS or within 30 days of your certificate being issued.
Why it’s useful
- Save time: no need for repeat DBS checks when moving between jobs in the same workforce/level.
- Save money: one certificate plus a small annual fee, instead of paying for multiple checks.
- Convenience: employers can check your DBS instantly online, reducing recruitment delays.
- Safeguarding: organisations can see if new information has been added since the certificate was issued.
Things to watch out for
- Only covers the same level/workforce; a new role may still require a fresh DBS.
- You must subscribe within the set time window, or you’ll need a new check.
- Keep your original certificate safe; many employers still want to see it.
- Renewal is yearly; let it lapse and you’ll need to start over.
Conclusion
For anyone working in healthcare, education, social care, or volunteer roles, the DBS Update Service is a simple way to stay job-ready, cut down delays, and save money. Just make sure you join in time and keep your subscription active.
Cathedral Appointments
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