The DBS application is a two-step process – an online application and ID check.
Step one – You will receive an email telling you how to complete your online application. The email will come from the following address : shudbs@ebulk.teammatrix.com
Please check your junk folder to ensure you access this. You will need your SHU ID number which can be found in your offer email.
If you do not receive the email within 2 weeks of receiving your offer, please contact professionalchecks@shu.ac.uk
Step two – Once you have completed your online application, you will be sent another email about completing an online digital ID check (you will need a valid biometric passport to do this). If you do not have a valid biometric passport, you must attend one of the drop-in sessions below at the University to complete a face-to-face ID check.
Tuesday 10:00-12:00 or 14:00-16:00 Robert Winston Building, Room F409, Collegiate Campus, S10 2BP
Wednesday 10:00-12:00 or 14:00-16:00 Bryan Nicholson Building, S1 4QL
You need to bring three forms of ID to the session, and we can only accept the Government approved documents listed here. One of the documents must be from Group 1. The remaining two documents can be from any of the three groups. If you would like to see the full Government ID checking guidelines, please click here.
Step three – You will receive a DBS certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service in the post. The University is informed whether your DBS certificate has a positive disclosure or whether it is clear – note that the University does not receive a copy of your certificate or any detail about any positive disclosure. You must retain your DBS certificate in case your placement provider asks to see it. You are advised to track your certificate to ensure that you receive it. If you don’t receive your DBS certificate, you must contact the Disclosure and Barring Service about a reprint certificate within 3 months of the check being completed. If you lose your DBS certificate or do not receive it and do not contact the DBS for a reprint within 3 months you will need to complete a new DBS check – this will incur a cost of £55.
If you already have a DBS for other purposes you will still have to complete an application with Sheffield Hallam to undertake study in teaching.
Subscribed to the DBS Update Service? If your certificate is registered for ‘Child Workforce’ or ‘Child & Adult Workforce’ at enhanced level, no application is needed, but you will need to attend an ID check at University campus with one form of photo ID and your current DBS certificate. See above for information about on campus ID checks.
Overseas applicants only: You are not required to undertake a DBS ID check until you have arrived in the UK and are registered at a UK address. You will need to apply for a Criminal Record Certificate from your home country. Please click here for further details.
Lived/worked abroad for longer than 12 months in the last 10 years (while aged 18 or over)? You will need to apply for a Criminal Record Certificate from the authorities of the country or countries where you lived for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years, while aged 18 or over. Guidance is provided here. Please click here for further details.
Once your DBS certificate has been issued, you must inform Sheffield Hallam University of any changes to your DBS status. This is expected behaviour of teacher trainees in line with Teachers’ Standards.
If you have any questions or concerns about making a DBS application, including any queries in relation to lack of documentation, name changes, gender reassignment, please contact professional checks@shu.ac.uk. If you have a previous identity that you do not wish to be disclosed on your DBS certificate, we can put you in touch with the DBS sensitive applications team who will advise you of what you need to do.
Once you have everything you need from this page, click here to continue to the Suitability Declaration.