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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 16 June 2023
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, the school governance regulations require you 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) 2023. 

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 (schedule 4 of the school governance regulations). 

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.

Anyone involved

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