DBS checks: requirements for governors (maintained)

Find out what checks are required for governors in maintained schools, so you can make sure your school is compliant.

Last reviewed on 21 June 2022
School types: Maintained · School phases: All
Ref: 3973
Contents
  1. Checks required for all governors
  2. Anyone involved in 'regulated activity' also requires a barred list check
  3. Applying for a check
  4. Associate members don't require checks
  5. Clerks don't require checks

Checks required for all governors

Enhanced DBS check

If you're a governor in a maintained school, you're required to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This requirement is set out in paragraph 313 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2022. 

An enhanced DBS check will:

  • Look for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings
  • Ask local police for any additional information that is reasonably considered relevant to the role

You're disqualified from holding office as a governor if you refuse a request for a DBS check.

Section 128 check

You should also have a section 128 check. If someone has a section 128 direction issued against them, then they're banned from being involved in the management and governance of schools, and can't be a governor.

This is explained in paragraph 315 of KCSIE 2022, linked above.

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