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 16 June 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 11874
Contents
  1. Requirements 
  2. Responsibility for checks

Requirements 

You can't carry out DBS checks on children 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 333 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2022. 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 is 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 should carry out the DBS checks. You should ask for written confirmation from the college

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