Safeguarding

Before a York Students in Schools (YSIS) volunteer can go on placement, safeguarding checks need to be completed and all volunteers must attend safeguarding training. The safeguarding checks included are:

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's Barred list
• Two references
• A Certificate of Good Conduct if you have lived outside of the UK for more than three months in the last five years

DBS Checks

You will need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which allows organisations to check criminal records and make sure you are safe to work with children or vulnerable adults.

Please read this document before completing your DBS check: 

• Applying for a DBS Check (PDF , 74kb)

Find out more about DBS checks (video) 

Careers and Placements will ONLY conduct these checks for YSIS volunteers. If you have applied for a role with another organisation or with YUSU, they are responsible for conducting the check with you and will provide details of how you should go about this.

Before completing a DBS check, read the DBS Privacy Policy. This explains how DBS will process your personal data, and the options that are available to you for submitting a declaration. 

How it works

1. Apply for a YSIS role on Handshake.
2. If your application is successful, you will receive an email asking you to identify three pieces of ID to bring to your check. One of these must confirm your current address. We cannot accept photocopies or printed online bank statements or household bills.
3. Attend one of our DBS Clinics running from Week 10 or 11 of each semester (dates will be confirmed in your placement offer email). If you cannot attend one, email ysis@york.ac.uk to let us know when you are ready to complete your check. Make sure you have all of your ID documents to hand, ready to show a member of staff.
4. Complete the remainder of your application online, recording all previous student housing/ accommodation you have lived in over the past five years. Advice can be found on the guidance sheet above. 
5. You do not need to show us your certificate unless it contains details of any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. However you must take it on your first day of your placement. 
6. Keep your certificate safe as you will be able to use it for future YSIS placements.

References

YSIS volunteers need to provide contact details for two references before starting their placement in line with Safer Recruitment Guidelines. A referee is someone who knows you that is not a friend or family member. We will send you a document with more details on who you can use as a reference in your placement offer email. 

They will be sent a short survey to complete (takes around two-three minutes) to confirm if you have the skills needed for the role (time-keeping, communication and working with others), as well as indicating if they feel that you are suitable for the role. 

Certificate of Good Conduct

If you have lived outside the UK more than three months in the last five years, you will need to produce a translated police check/certificate of good conduct from the relevant country, in addition to a UK DBS check. It is your responsibility to obtain this check and show it to the YSIS Team. 

We will need to see your translated police check by Week 1 of the semester in which you are due to volunteer. If you are returning home for the vacation period this will provide you with the opportunity to obtain your home country check. You may complete a UK DBS check before you have received your police check from your home country.

• Information about criminal records checks for overseas applicants (GOV.UK website)
• Specific advice for students from Hong Kong (GOV.UK website)

Questions? Email ysis@york.ac.uk