Disclosure process in England, Wales or a National UK appointment
Certain roles within Scouting require a Disclosure check to be completed as part of the Appointments Process. This page explains more about Disclosure checking for those who hold roles in England, Wales or National UK appointments.
From 1 October, new DBS ID checking guidelines will be in place. This means that EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will need to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK. To meet the new guidelines all non-UK applicants, including those from EEA countries, must follow the correct ID checking route and provide the correct documentation (as specified in the DBS ID checking guidelines) as changes have been made to acceptable forms of ID.
For Scout volunteers - Applications for UK nationals, and non-UK nationals, in unpaid work, (and non-EEA nationals in paid work) will continue to be processed as normal.
For our volunteers who are from outside the UK, the government process should be followed to confirm they are able to volunteer in the UK; and then follow route 1 (show 1 document from Group 1, and 2 further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a, or 2b) - one of which must show the applicant's current address. For those based overseas, there are now fewer documents to select from.
To find out which roles require a Disclosure check please see POR Chapter 16: Roles Table.
The Disclosure and Barring Service
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure is an important element for making safer appointment decisions, ensuring that appropriate people can work with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
More information about the DBS can be found on the UK Government website.
Using Compass and Atlantic Data
Once an adult has been added to Compass and a Disclosure check has been requested, the applicants details are passed through to our online disclosure processing system called Atlantic Data.
To process a Disclosure check in Atlantic Data there are two ways to complete all of the sections before a Disclosure application is submitted to the DBS for processing.
The quickest and easiest way to complete a Disclosure application is by completing Option 1 in Atlantic Data.
We understand that it’s not always possible to get the applicant, the ID checker and a connection to the internet all in one place. If this is the case, the ID Checking Form (PDF) /ID checking form (PDF) - editable version can be used.
The ID Checking Form enables an ID checker to complete Option 1, as shown above, using the form. The form does not collect the details that the Applicant needs to provide in their part of the application as this section must be completed by themselves on Atlantic Data.
What ID documents will I need to show?
There are certain documents which you will need to show to an ID checker to complete your disclosure application. The full list of documents are listed within Atlantic Data and on the ID Checking Form (PDF) /ID checking form (PDF) - editable version.
You can also view the complete list of documents on the UK Government website.
Issuing of the DBS Disclosure
Once the Disclosure certificate is issued to the volunteer by the DBS, the Vetting Team at UKHQ will inform either the relevant Commissioner or the local Appointment Secretary of the outcome, and whether the volunteer is able to start in their role. The volunteer’s Compass record will be updated to reflect the outcome.
DBS Disclosure checks are just one element of the National Vetting Process and the issuing of the certificate does not mean that the volunteer is able to begin straight away.
To watch in full screen, double click the video
How to complete a disclosure application for someone in Atlantic Data using 'Option one'
Double click on the video to view in full screen.
To watch in full screen, double click the video
How to complete a disclosure application for someone in Atlantic Data using 'Option two'
Double click on the video to view in full screen.
Guidance about DBS filtering
Certain convictions or cautions no longer need to be disclosed as part of a Disclosure application. This question is asked directly to the applicant within Atlantic data, so no action is required on the part of ID Checkers/Data Processors.
Further information about DBS Filtering can be found on the UK Government website.
For further advice contact the Scout Support Centre on support@scouts.org.uk or call on 020 8433 7100.
Update Service
The Scout Association does not currently use the Disclosure and Barring update service to undertake an applicant’s status check, as the current scheme is not practical for the Association to undertake.
Further information about the Update Service can be found on the UK Government website.
Further Advice
For further advice contact the Scout Support Centre on support@scouts.org.uk or call on 020 8433 7100.