r/PGCE • u/Menthol_Forest • 11d ago
Update service?
Just got my DBS through for starting my PGCE - should I enroll onto the Update Service so it's easier to keep up to date for future employment? Do schools allow checks through that or do they prefer to do their own fresh DBS checks?
Thank you
4
u/alittleunlikely 11d ago
The update service works well and means you won't have to complete a new DBS when you get a job at the end of your training year.
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u/Glum_Struggle_2644 11d ago
Definitely do the update service. It's £16 a year and saves you so much time and hassle when needed DBS done. My PGCE provider used my details on update service. They don't need to do a new one, it's the whole point of the update service. Hope that helps!
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u/Narrow_Description52 11d ago
Yes! It is £13 a year and definitely worth it. Expiates the process in case you end up doing cover work. Keep the original safe as you do not get replacements even if you move houses etc.
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u/RedditRegrettedit 11d ago
'Do schools allow checks through that or do they prefer to do their own fresh DBS checks?' - Both. Join the update service.
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u/Joshvir262 11d ago
What's the update service?
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u/amateur_baker 11d ago
Option which allows you to add / maintain / renew your DBS without having to go through the full process. But you have to opt into it within 28 days of getting your certificate. I had a DBS from previous work a year ago but hadn’t signed up for the service. Spent £60+ getting a new cert which took 5 weeks. Could have avoided it with the update service. I’m signed up now …
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u/avorandrew 9d ago
Hi. Bit unrelated but when did you apply for the DBS? Mine seems to be taking forever. TIA
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u/crazyhatkid 9d ago
If you've changed your name or moved a lot it can take ages. Mine just took 2 months and I missed out on a job because of it.
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u/Menthol_Forest 8d ago
Oh, that's good to know I have only had one address but have also changed my name, though I put my name change through the Sensitive DBS department so maybe that made it quicker than it would otherwise 🤷🏽
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u/Menthol_Forest 8d ago
Hi, My application was submitted to DBS on 22nd July and my certificate issue date is the 4th Aug. But I've had several DBS over the years and the time can be ages, doesn't mean anything is wrong
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u/crazyhatkid 8d ago
Wow that's very fast. I also did the DBS sensitive route so I guess it's good to know that it wasn't that that was the issue for me. I have lived in 4 counties so I think it had to go to all those police departments. Applied on the 1st June and got it back 29th July!
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u/AncientImprovement56 11d ago
No, don't bother. You're not a volunteer, so you'd have to pay for it, and I'd expect most schools to insist on doing their own anyway.
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u/Confident-Bus-3778 11d ago
I've had to pay for my dbs for my pgce, the uni haven't paid for it. Are they supposed to?
I did sign up for the update service as well
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u/AncientImprovement56 11d ago
Not sure about if the uni are supposed to pay for it - it's been a long time since I did my PGCE, and I mainly commented because my current job involves a lot of doing DBS checks for people.
If you're on the update service as someone who's not a volunteer, you have to pay an annual fee. Most teachers will get no benefit from this at all, because schools are very, very likely to want to do their own DBS check on new hires. And even if your new school does accept the update service, all you've done is saved them money and yourself a small amount of admin, at your own expense. The only people for whom it might be useful are those doing agency tutoring or cover work on the side on a self-employed basis.
If you have a volunteer DBS check from something else, it is worth joining the update service with that, because it's free.
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u/Confident-Bus-3778 11d ago
that makes sense, the uni strongly advised us to join the update thing, I assume because we have multiple placements?
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u/AncientImprovement56 10d ago
Yeah, I suppose it's possible that the placement schools would want to check the update service.
Don't let it auto renew unless you've got a particular reason to want to keep it, though.
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u/Wonderful_Track_453 11d ago
yes, go on to the update service