DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks, policies and procedures
(formerly CRB check)
The DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and merges the functions previously carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). You can find out more on the Home Office website|.
If an offer of a place is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check, this will be indicated in the relevant programme entry in the prospectus.
We will assist you in the process of gaining your DBS enhanced disclosure certificate with further details provided once you're invited to attend for an interview.
The University requirement is that all individuals who will be working unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults gain an enhanced disclosure certificate from the DBS BEFORE starting their programme.
If applicable, when completing the application form you should declare any convictions, cautions or bind overs you have received. This is irrespective of when you received them or whether you consider them to be 'spent' or of insufficient consequence to report them. If, before applying, you would like advice as to whether a previous offence is likely to prevent you entry onto a particular course you are welcome to write in confidence to: The Admissions Manager, Admissions Department, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1QU. Please mark the envelope as 'private and confidential'.
If you have convictions, cautions or have been bound over, you are not automatically barred from studying Health related or Primary Education programmes – we consider each applicant separately. What is important is that you are open with us about your past.
Where an applicant declares a conviction, caution or bind over, we make an academic decision first. Once this has been completed, those offered a place will be asked to submit further information concerning their circumstances, and then a decision will be made as to whether to confirm the offer.
If you fail to disclose information that subsequently comes to light through the DBS process, you will face the likelihood of having your offer of a place withdrawn.
If you are a non-UK resident, you MUST go through the DBS process when you start your programme. It is expected that students from those countries where a further check can be made, MUST also go through this process. Further advice will be given to you at the time of being called for interview.
We no longer accept certificates from other organisations.
There is a charge made for this process - £52. Some health-related programmes have this charge paid for by the Department of Health. Details of charges will be given to you once an offer of a place has been made, or they can be requested from advice@canterbury.ac.uk|
The following link is provided for you to make a Credit or Debit card payment for your DBS Disclosure. Please only make a payment if you have been offered a place and have been asked to pay by the Admissions department:
Occupational Health checks
If you are looking to study on a professional programme, in health or education, you will need to complete an Occupational Health Check. Only candidates who have been offered a place at the University, and who intend to accept it, are required to complete the questionnaire.
Admissions and Recruitment Policy
1.1. This policy relates to all students at the University and those on University programmes offered as part of a collaborative arrangement (QAA Code of Practice Precept 1).
The University’s Admissions and Recruitment policy is underpinned by the commitment to equal opportunities, whereby students and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, and are not discriminated against as a result of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, social background, religious or political beliefs, family circumstances or sexual orientation.
General Information for Applicants
The institution’s Equal Opportunities Policy (including its Race Equality Policy), and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Code of Practice (Recruitment and Admissions) underpin the University’s student recruitment procedures. All applications will be given efficient and sympathetic consideration and will be processed within the time-scales laid down by the various Clearing Houses and guidelines provided by Student Recruitment.