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DBS checks: work experience students

Understand when work experience students will require a DBS check, the level of check needed and who is responsible for carrying out the checks.

Last reviewed on 14 June 2023See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 11874
Contents
  1. Requirements 
  2. Responsibility for checks

Requirements 

You can't carry out a DBS check on a child under the age of 16. 

If a work experience student is 16 or older and:

  • In regulated activity - they'll need an enhanced DBS check with a barred list check
  • Not in regulated activity - they should have an enhanced DBS check but not a barred list check

This is set out in paragraph 340 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024. See page 65 of KCSIE for a breakdown of what's included under 'regulated activity'. The DBS also confirmed this to us. 

You can also use this online tool to determine what level of check a person needs. 

Responsibility for checks

It's the responsibility of the 'work experience provider' to carry out any necessary checks (set out in paragraph 333 of KCSIE, linked above).

A college or university organises the work experience for the student, they