Human Resources

Disclosure (DBS)

For information, please refer to the following link - http://www.dur.ac.uk/disclosure/

Guidance Note for Staff

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) application process for applicants and members of staff

Durham University is committed to adhering to the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Code of Practice.

Making a Disclosure Application to the DBS

  • If you are required to undertake a DBS disclosure you will be informed by your line manager (existing staff) or in your formal letter of appointment (new staff). You should contact the DBS on tel: 0870 90 90 844 and request a Disclosure Application Form which will be sent direct to your home address.
  • If you need guidance on how to complete the necessary Disclosure Application Form please contact Human Resources Caroline Bulman, P.A. to the Deputy Director and Assistant Director of Human Resources (email: caroline.bulman@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 6501).
  • You should bring the completed form in person to Human Resources. As part of the process the HR representative must see original copies of a number of documents to confirm your identity (as defined by the DBS). Written confirmation that the HR representative has seen the originals will be included with the final application form.
  • Once fully completed, the application form will be signed by (a) you, as the subject of the Disclosure and (b) the Director of HR as the counter signatory responsible for Staff Disclosure requests and sent to the DBS for processing. HR will send the completed form and the necessary payment direct to the DBS.
  • A photocopy of the completed form and sheet confirming that the original documents were seen will be retained as highly confidential documents within HR.

Processing the Disclosure Application

Whilst processing the application, the DBS may contact you or HR if further information is required. Please provide this information promptly. If you have any concerns regarding this, please seek guidance from HR.

Receiving the Disclosure Information

A copy of the result of the Disclosure application will be sent to both (a) you at your home address and (b) directly to the staff counter signatory who signed the form (Director of HR).

Reviewing the Result of the Disclosure

The Director of HR will assess the content of the Disclosure. Any information received will be considered in line with the duties of the post to which you have been offered appointment.

Satisfactory Disclosure

If your Disclosure is considered to be satisfactory, you will be informed in writing that this condition of your appointment has been met. Your recruiting department will also be informed. For certain posts it may be necessary to inform a relevant third party that you have received a satisfactory Disclosure, e.g. many NHS trusts require this confirmation prior to issuing Honorary Contracts to university staff. In such instances you will be informed in advance if this is a requirement of the role.

Disclosures which require further review

Where the Disclosure confirms details of spent/unspent convictions/records, this will not lead to an automatic bar from appointment. The Director of HR will review the contents of the Disclosure in line with the requirements of the vacancy and will consider any other information which you have provided regarding your case. As part of this review you may be invited to discuss your case further with an HR Manager (appropriate managerial representatives from the recruiting department may also be involved) before a final decision on suitability is made. All aspects of the review of the Disclosure will be in line with the University's Policy on the Recruitment and Employment of Ex Offenders. If an individual's circumstances are not compatible with the post, the University may be required to withdraw the offer of appointment and will inform all appropriate parties of this outcome.

Management of Information

All documentation relating to the Disclosure application process will be considered highly confidential by all parties involved and will be stored securely by HR, separately from your personal file. Access to documents, and the results of the Disclosure, will be restricted to those who require access as part of their duties, as determined by HR. Documents will only be retained for a reasonable period following which they will be destroyed as confidential material in line with DBS guidance. Further details are available in the University's Policy Regarding the Security, Storage and Retention of Applicant/Staff Criminal Records Information.

Further Information

  • If you wish to discuss any aspect of this process further, please contact Caroline Bulman, P.A. to the Deputy Director and Assistant Director of Human Resources (email: caroline.bulman@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 6501). All enquiries will be dealt with in confidence.
  • DBS and disclosure info telephone line - 0870 90 90 811