The Update Service is helpful, but only if you separate it from the ordinary DBS online-account tools and the original certificate itself.
Update Checking normally points to the DBS Update Service or the online account tools around it. The key distinction is that the Update Service is for Standard and Enhanced certificates, while the separate DBS online account is mainly for Basic and barring services.
A lot of confusion comes from mixing up the application reference number, the certificate number, the Update Service, and the separate DBS online account tools, so this page untangles those terms in plain English.
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Quick takeaways
- The Update Service is for Standard and Enhanced certificates only.
- Basic checks use a different online-account route.
- Portability only works where the same level and workforce apply.
- Consent matters before anyone checks a certificate’s current status.
Checks are role-specific
Before using the Update Service, the organisation should inspect the original certificate, obtain the holder’s consent and compare the level and workforce with the tutoring role. The online result then indicates whether the certificate’s status is unchanged or whether follow-up is needed. It does not decide whether the applicant is suitable, and it does not authorise a level of check that the role cannot lawfully receive. Record the decision process as well as the result.
Employer-side checking sequence
Obtain explicit consent, inspect the original certificate and confirm that the proposed role is entitled to the same level and workforce. Enter the required details only through the official status-check service. Read the result carefully and follow the stated next action. Document when and why the check occurred without circulating the certificate more widely. Finally, make a suitability decision; the online response is evidence for that decision, not the decision itself.
What the term usually refers to
The Update Service is an online subscription linked to Standard and Enhanced DBS certificates. It lets authorised organisations run a free online status check to see whether the certificate remains current since issue.
The service is useful, but it is not magic. It does not turn the wrong certificate into the right one, and it does not apply to Basic checks.
- The DBS Update Service costs £16 a year for Standard and Enhanced certificates and is free for volunteers. It is not available for Basic checks.
- A portable Update Service result only helps where the new role is legally entitled to the same level of check and the same workforce. If the level or workforce changes, a new application is usually needed.
- The DBS online account is mainly for barring and Basic check services. It cannot be used as a general account for Standard or Enhanced checks or as a replacement for the Update Service.
Joining, renewing and keeping the details straight
Joining rules matter. An applicant can subscribe during the application process using the form reference or, after issue, using the certificate number within the official joining window.
If the certificate is not added in time, the solution is not to keep refreshing the account or searching for hidden settings. In most cases it means a new eligible application and a fresh subscription at the correct stage.
- Use the form reference during the application stage.
- Use the certificate number after issue, within the allowed period.
- Keep a note of the level and workforce because portability depends on them.
Check the tutor application route
Use the application page after confirming the check level and route that fit your situation.
How the Update Service helps tutors in the real world
For tutors, the Update Service is most useful when you may need to show the continuing status of the same certificate to more than one organisation or client. It reduces friction, but it does not remove the need to show the original certificate first.
Employers and private individuals also need consent before checking status, and they must be legally entitled to the level of check they are relying on.
Next step
If this page has helped you separate the Update Service from the general online-account tools, you are already ahead of most search results on the topic.
Most people searching this topic have already moved beyond theory and want the next practical step. After checking the official route and the details you need, use the apply-now page when you want a tutor-focused way to continue.
Common questions
Is the Update Service available for Basic checks?
No. The Update Service is for Standard and Enhanced certificates only.
Is a DBS online account the same as the Update Service?
No. They are separate tools with different purposes.
Can a certificate move from one job to another automatically?
Not automatically. The new role must be entitled to the same level and workforce, and the certificate holder must consent to the status check.
Do employers need consent before checking status?
Yes. Consent and legal entitlement both matter.
Ready to apply?
If this page has answered the research side, use the apply-now page for the tutor route.