Guidance on applying for clearance through Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS form)

If you already have an enhanced DBS certificate and if you are paying the annual update service subscription of £16 you may not need to complete a DBS through Birmingham Newman University. Please bring the certificate to the Student Helpdesk at Birmingham Newman to be seen and recorded. If it is not possible for you to visit Birmingham Newman, please send the DBS certificate by Special Delivery clearly marked FAO: Admissions and enclose a Special Delivery envelope to enable us to return it safely to you. The address can be found at the bottom of the page.

Applying for a DBS

• Payment is made through Birmingham Newman University’s online store. If you are verifying your ID on campus your DBS will cost £66.50, if you wish to have your ID verified at a Post Office your DBS will cost £72.50.
• Once you have made your payment you will receive an automated email with a link to the Know Your People website, the organisation ID and access code to register.
• Once you have completed registration you will be able to complete the DBS online application form.
• If you are getting your ID verified at a Post Office, please ensure that you select which Post Office branch you will be taking your ID to and follow any further instructions on the application form.
• For ID verification on campus, you can bring your documents to the Student Helpdesk during our opening hours which are Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm and Fridays 8:30am – 4:00pm.
• Please note that bank statements, council tax statements and utility bills must have been posted to you.  Online printed statements cannot be accepted for ID verification for DBS checks.
• If you have lived outside UK for a period of more than 6 months within the last 5 years, while aged 18 or over you will be required to provide a police check from that country.
• If you have any questions regarding the DBS process or the forms of ID that can be accepted, please contact admissions@newman.ac.uk.

ID documents

• When completing your DBS application you will be asked what documents you wish to use to verify your identity. When sufficient ID has been selected a green bar will appear at the top of the application.  If you have changed your name you will need to bring proof of name change (deed poll, marriage certificate etc.
• ID must be original, copies can’t be accepted.
• Please be aware that the University can’t accept printed bank statements or letters. Bank statements and letters must have been posted to your current address and in most cases be dated within the last 3 months.

Receiving your certificate

• Once you have submitted your application and your identity has been verified, the application will then be forwarded to the DBS.
• Within the next few weeks a DBS certificate will be sent through the post to your current address. Newman University will also be provided with confirmation that the check has been completed.
• Newman University will not need to see your DBS certificate unless there are offences recorded on the DBS.

Offences revealed by DBS

• If there are offences recorded on your certificate you will need to present your certificate to the Student Helpdesk. The University is required to look carefully at any offences recorded on a DBS disclosure before admitting students to professional programmes such as teacher training or before placing other students in an environment with children or vulnerable adults.
• Alongside your DBS disclosure, you are asked to submit a letter of explanation to the University about the offence(s), giving full details of what occurred, why you committed the offence and the full circumstances. An explanation should be given for each offence.  It is important that you realise that the University will not admit/place you until the DBS disclosure has been cleared.  Please make sure you sign and date the letter before submitting it. The letter and DBS certificate should be brought to the Student Helpdesk anytime during our opening hours or posted by Special Delivery clearly marked FAO: Admissions and enclose a Special Delivery envelope to enable us to return it safely to you.  The address can be found at the bottom of the page.

Queries

If you have any queries please contact the Admissions Team:

• Email: admissions@newman.ac.uk
• Phone: 0121 387 4506