A DBS check, which stands for Disclosure and Barring Service check, is a criminal record check that helps us to assess your suitability for working with young people at ReachOut.
At ReachOut we require all of our Staff Members to have a valid DBS certificate that has been undertaken by ReachOut.
You will need to complete a DBS with us if:
Please follow this link to read our policy statement on recruiting applicants with criminal records, advice around disclosures and if relevant, complete the form to make a self-declaration. Responses are only visible to our safeguarding team and please note that a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from working with us.
a. Find your Route
Follow the link to the DBS application depending on what Route fits your situation. See Section 4. Find Your Route below.
b. Fill in all of your personal details.
You will need to enter in your last 5 years of address history.
Your DBS will be posted to your current address so please do bear this in mind as you will need to be able to have your physical certificate.
c. Upload images of three forms of ID
Please see Section 4. DBS ID Documents for further information on what ID you can use,
Please note that the address on at least one of your IDs must match the address you enter as your current address on your DBS application form. If the address on your ID doesn’t match, your DBS application will not be accepted.
d. Complete your ID Check
If you took Route 1, you will need to complete a digital ID check. This will involve the following steps.
Download an App
Get either the Post Office EasyID app or the Yoti app on your smartphone. Both are free and work on most devices.
Register on the App
Open the app and follow the steps to register your details.
Link to Your DBS Application
Once registered, go to the Ucheck website and scan the QR code shown there. This links your app to your DBS application.
Verify Your ID
You’ll be asked to scan your ID documents and take a photo of your face to confirm your identity. Don’t worry — the photos are secure and won’t be seen by anyone.
Let Us Know
When you’ve finished, email HR@reachoutuk.org to confirm. We’ll then approve and submit your application.
Tip: If you’re scanning your passport, remove any phone or passport case to avoid issues.
If you took route 2 or your digital ID check was unsuccessful. You will need to:
You will follow Route 1 – this means you’ll be prompted to have your documents processed digitally. This is the best way to complete your DBS but if you have any probelems, you’ll be directed to continue using Route 2 instead. Please follow the link below depending on your location:
You will follow Route 2 – this means we will have to check your ID online and at your first session in person. Please follow the link below depending on your location:
You’ll need to provide 3 documents for your application – open the sections below to read which documents we can accept.
1) One document from Section A: ‘Identity documents’ below (e.g passport)
2) One document from the ‘Proof of address’ section B below (e.g utility bill) – please be aware this must have come through the post so there may be additional actions for you to take to visit your bank if you do not have another document in this category
3) One more document from section A, B or section C which details ‘Additional documents’.
You can also view the full government guidance here for additional information.
Please use at least 1 document from this category. You can use another document from this category as your 3rd ‘additional’ document. We will need to see this in physical form in the 1.1 meeting if using Route 2 rather than a copy or scan.
Acceptable | Not acceptable |
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You will need 1 document from this category and the address must match the address used on your application as this is where your DBS will be posted.
Acceptable | Not acceptable |
All of the documents below must have been sent to you through the post. We can not accept documents shown to us from online banking or other online accounts.
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You will need a third document which can come from section A or B above or be one of these other documents:
Acceptable | Not acceptable |
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Once you have filled out an online DBS application, you will need to make sure that you have used either route 1 or route 2 to submit and verify your ID documents.
If you have chosen route 2, remember to e-mail hr@reachoutuk.org to let them know this has been completed and ReachOut will then be able to approve and submit your application.
After your 1.1 meeting, it will take around 1-2 weeks before you receive your certificate in the post. It is therefore really important that you book onto a 1.1 meeting and have your 3 ID documents ready to show if you want to progress with your volunteer journey. If you attend your 1:1 meeting and 2 weeks go by and you still have not received your certificate, please get in touch to let us know!
If you have read the guidance above and still don’t think that you have 3 ID documents – please get in touch with us at HR@reachoutuk.org.
In this case there are a few options that you could follow:
If you are still struggling, please get in touch with us.
We do not accept existing DBS certificates for Staff Members, even if your DBS is on the update service.
The only caveat is if you have previously volunteered with ReachOut, and ReachOut have performed the DBS check. As we have previously seen your documentation, we would be happy to proceed with the start of your employment, however we would still require you to complete a new DBS with us.
If you have any questions about your DBS application or the application process please e-mail Jasmin at HR@reachoutuk.org
Jasmin Kees
“Hello, I’m Megan! My role at ReachOut is to support you throughout your time as a volunteer mentor. Volunteering is a fantastic way to make a difference and give back to your community, and you’ll be part of our brilliant community of volunteers. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!”
“My mentor helped me a lot because when I tried to say something I couldn’t express it, but he told me that I could try and keep trying, even if I get it wrong, so that I can express myself better.”
Rawan, ReachOut Mentee
“At first, I was really hesitant to take on the Project Leader role, despite having mentored with ReachOut. However, with the support of the team I’ve really developed my skills. For example, at the Mentee Graduation, I stood up in front of 200 people and presented an award which is something I would never ever have been able to have done before, and isn’t an opportunity I could gain in my other situations.”
Amy McCutcheon, Project Leader at ReachOut Academy, Dean Trust Ardwick, Manchester.
“Being able to spend the summer working at Rede Partners, was an amazing experience. Whether it was working in HR or Finance, I learned so much about the world of private equity, made great connections with fantastic people and I got to learn first-hand what it would be like to work there! I really believe that I can go onto build the career I want now I’ve been a part for a workplace for real”
Victor Adekunle, 18 years old, ReachOut Ambassador, London
“When I first my mentee, she was very reluctant to participate in the sessions. Now, I see a completely different person! Her confidence has grown and she is happy to join in! She still has some self-doubt when it comes to academic work, but that’s what I hope to help her overcome, because she is a very bright person!
Through mentoring, I’ve learnt I’m a lot more patient than I realised. There will be days where she refuses to participate and those are the days that I really see the importance of the character strengths, for both the mentees and the mentors. It also makes it easier for the mentee to understand the character strengths, when I use them myself”
Myrtle, ReachOut Club mentor at Tufnell Primary School, London
“There are more distractions than ever outside of school, and the commitment of our students to attend ReachOut sessions is testament to the value they place on the relationships they foster there, and the challenge and enjoyment they provide.
ReachOut’s focus on communication skills and character development has become an important aspect of our provision of support for these students. The opportunity to relate to a positive role- model other than their usual teachers is key to the programme’s impact, and the evidence of this has been seen in the students’ attendance, resilience and to their overall progress across all the subjects in the school.”
Thomas Janvrin, Assistant Vice Principal at the Petchey Academy London
