Save £££s and Stay Compliant: Why Every Interpreter Should Be Using the DBS Update Service
Did you know that holding a valid DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check (minimum level Standard) is a requirement for NRCPD registration, yet some interpreters currently don’t have a valid one?
At Interpreting Matters, we want to raise awareness of this crucial issue. DBS checks are not just a formality. They play an important role in safeguarding vulnerable people and reinforcing trust in our profession. But here’s something many interpreters don’t realise: the way you maintain your DBS can make a big difference to your bank account.
Why the DBS Update Service Is a Game-Changer
A paper DBS certificate is only valid for the organisation that carried out the check. For it to be portable between companies, you must be subscribed to the DBS Update Service and have your certificate listed.
If you only have a paper DBS and are not subscribed to the Update Service, and you work for multiple organisations, you could be in breach of your NRCPD registration – as your DBS is not valid for all those organisations.
When subscribing to the Update Service, it’s essential that interpreters keep hold of their original DBS certificate. Anyone viewing the Update must also see the original certificate that is associated with that update. If the original certificate has been misplaced, the update becomes invalid.
Now here’s the kicker:
- A new Enhanced DBS check typically costs around £90 each time it’s carried out.
- The DBS Update Service costs just £16 per year.
That’s a saving of around £70 for your first new client, and around a £90 saving for every additional organisation you register with – as you won’t need to apply for a new DBS each time.
For freelance interpreters, that’s not just peace of mind – it’s financial sense.
A Guide to DBS Checks for Interpreters
Interpreters are expected to work with people from all walks of life, often in vulnerable settings. Therefore, many are eligible for Enhanced DBS Checks, though it depends on the environment they work in.
DBS Check Levels
- Basic DBS Check: Shows unspent convictions and can be requested by the individual. Not sufficient for NRCPD registration.
- Standard DBS Check: Reveals both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and warnings. This is the minimum level required for NRCPD registration.
- Enhanced DBS Check: Includes all of the above plus relevant police-held information and may include checks against one or both barred lists – Adults and Children – for regulated activities.
Example Scenarios
- Interpreters in schools or care settings: Enhanced Check with Children’s Barred List.
- Healthcare interpreters: May require an Enhanced Check including the Adults’ Barred List, the Children’s Barred List, or both, depending on the setting and the level of contact.
- Legal system interpreters: Enhanced Check, which may also require one or both barred list checks.
- Media translators: May only need a Basic Check according to DBS; however, NRCPD registration requires the minimum level to be Standard.
Who Applies?
- Basic: Not sufficient for NRCPD registration.
- Standard / Enhanced: Must be applied for through an organisation registered to undertake DBS checks. That organisation must have a lawful basis to carry out the check – i.e. the interpreter is registered with them for work, and the role is eligible for that level of disclosure.
Who Pays?
For freelance interpreters, the cost of DBS checks is typically covered by the individual, not the agency. This means those who apply for multiple Enhanced checks with different organisations could be spending hundreds of pounds a year unnecessarily.
The good news? By subscribing to the DBS Update Service for just £16 annually, interpreters can keep one valid certificate active and instantly shareable — saving significant money while ensuring continued compliance.
It’s also worth remembering that DBS fees are a business expense and can be offset within your accounts, helping to reduce your taxable income.
Let’s Uphold the Highest Standards (and Keep Costs Sensible)
DBS compliance protects both interpreters and the people we serve. The Update Service makes it easy and affordable to stay compliant – and ensures you’re always ready to work when opportunities arise.
If you’re not yet subscribed, you can learn more or register here: DBS Update Service – GOV.UK
Let’s continue upholding the highest standards for our profession – safely, ethically, and cost-effectively.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Interpreting Matters.