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DBS and other required checks for governors and trustees

Find out what checks are required for governors, members and trustees, so you can make sure your school is compliant with the latest statutory safeguarding guidance.

Last reviewed on 7 August 2023See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 44864
Contents
  1. Download a summary of the requirements
  2. School governors
  3. Clerks and associate members
  4. Sixth form college governors

Download a summary of the requirements

Download our summary of the requirements for pre-employment checks for school governors. 

KeyDoc: summary of checks for governors - maintained DOC, 178.5 KB

Your governing board is responsible for applying for these checks, but in practice, your school admin staff will probably do it on their behalf depending on your school's arrangements. 

Get more detail on the required checks for governors, clerks and associate members below. 

School governors

The requirements below are outlined in paragraphs 311 to 315 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023. 

What checks are required?

Governors must have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

This may include a barred list check if the governor is involved in regulated activity. Governance itself isn't a regulated activity, so they'd only be engaging in this as part of additional duties they may have.

If they already have a DBS certificate when they become a governor at your school, it's up to your employer to