Working with school transport

Contents

Apply online for a DBS

This service is only available for individuals working on Staffordshire County Council home to school transport contracts.

Important - Read Before Applying for a DBS

Following a review of our safeguarding arrangements, Staffordshire County Council will only accept Enhanced DBS certificates that are issued on or after the date an SCC School Transport Badge application has been submitted and payment received. This does not apply to badge renewals where the existing DBS and DBS update is still valid.

Before applying for an Enhanced DBS certificate, applicants must:

  1. Complete a Self-Disclosure Form.
  2. Submit their SCC School Transport Badge Application and payment.
  3. Only then apply for an Enhanced DBS certificate.

Enhanced DBS certificates issued before the SCC School Transport Badge application date will not be accepted, even if they are registered with the DBS Update Service and show no changes.

Failure to follow this process may result in the applicant needing to obtain and pay for a further Enhanced DBS certificate.

Examples

Acceptable

Badge application submitted: 10 July 2026
Enhanced DBS certificate issued: 20 July 2026

Not Acceptable

Enhanced DBS certificate issued: 1 July 2026
Badge application submitted: 10 July 2026
The DBS certificate was issued before the badge application and would not be accepted, even if subscribed to the DBS Update Service
 

DBS Update Service

  • If the applicant is not registered with the DBS Update Service, they must submit a new DBS application and register with the Update Service. New DBS applications must only be submitted after the SCC School Transport Badge application and payment have been completed.
  • Applicants must use a company email address — personal email addresses are not permitted.
  • If an individual already has an enhanced (child & adult workforce) DBS check and is registered with the Update Service, please notify us.

How to apply online

Before starting a DBS application, applicants must ensure that their SCC School Transport Badge application has already been submitted and payment received. Enhanced DBS certificates obtained before the badge application date will not be accepted.

Applications are made via a secure web service and must be completed in full.

You must not complete DBS applications on behalf of individuals unless they are present to verify all information.

Apply online

Steps to apply:

1. Go to the login page.

2. Click “Start Application” in the orange box.

3. Enter Organisation Reference: integratedtransport and click ‘Enter’ (no password required).

Proving your identity and making payment

Before your application can be processed, you must submit documents to prove your identity and make payment for your DBS application and SCC School Transport badge. All ID should be emailed to: dbs.notifications@staffordshire.gov.uk.

You will need:

  • To make payment for your SCC School Transport badge and DBS application (if you are making one). Payment can be made using this link: Pay for a SCC School Transport badge and DBS.
  • A passport-style colour photograph
  • A completed and signed self-declaration form
  • Three forms of acceptable identification (please see the link at the bottom of this page for acceptable ID)
  • Photo ID such as a passport or driving licence
  • Proof of right to work in the UK, which is required for all SCC school transport badge and DBS applications. This can be a UK Passport (Expired or current) or alternative such as an online check code - Prove your right to work to an employer - GOV.UK.

If you have lived outside the UK for a continuous period of six months or more in the last five years, you must also provide:

All applicants must have a good standard of spoken English

Once the above items have all been submitted and checked, an appointment will be sent to the applicant so that the original ID documents can be presented and checked in person. Failure to provide sufficient or acceptable documentation will delay your application and may incur additional costs.

Registering with the DBS Update Service

Once you receive your E-reference number, you must register immediately with the DBS Update Service.

The annual cost is £16. Continued registration keeps your certificate up to date and allows it to be used for other roles with the same level of check.

How to register a service update

  1. Go to DBS update on GOV.UK.
  2. Read the information under the ‘Applicants’ section
  3. Register for the update service
  4. Enter your:
    • Name
    • Gender
    • Date of birth
    • Email address
    • E-reference number (provided by your employer)
    • Payment card details

This is not a volunteer role.

Make a note of your unique ID (starts with ‘C’ followed by 10 digits) and keep it secure. Please to not send your unique ID to us, as we do not require it. We will regularly check your compliance and access your Update Service account in line with the Transport Safeguarding Policy (PDF 301.88 KB).

Using DBS information

Information received through the DBS process will be used to assess your suitability to work on SCC contracts.

If your DBS certificate shows convictions, cautions or other police information, you will be asked to provide the original certificate by email to: dbs.notifications@staffordshire.gov.uk