Currently, CIW provide the DBS application form for people who are registering with them and have to apply for a DBS check. 

They also manage the process of completed forms and pay DBS fees.

CIW are making changes to this process and asked for your views last summer. The exercise and feedback form to submit your views is now closed. You can still tell CIW your views by completing their feedback form.

What will happen?

From January 2018, CIW will no longer accept DBS renewal applications more than three months before your current certificate reaches three years old. 

From 1 April 2018, you will be required to pay the DBS fee (currently £44) if you are registering, re-registering or need a new DBS check.

The checks will then be managed online by a third-party service which will process your DBS application on their behalf. 

CIW are now going through a tendering process to identify a supplier for the service. You can read more about this here on their website. 

When the third-party service is introduced, an administration fee will be charged. However, if you register with the DBS Update Service (External link) there will be a transitional arrangement. This will effectively fund your £13 subscription to the DBS Update Service for the first year.

What does this mean for me?

Childminders who are not already on the DBS Update Service (External link) and need a DBS check, cannot presently request DBS checks directly and need to use a licensing body (such as CIW) for this. The third party service CIW propose to put in place will enable providers in that position to apply for a check and benefit from the speed and efficiency of an online service.

The changes will also bring CIW into line with other UK regulators (for example Ofsted) who already use a third party service to administer DBS checks.