Interested in Teaching Lace to Children?
We can help with getting the necessary DBS check free of charge!
by Amanda Binns and Liz Hobbs
To ensure best practise, The Lace Guild would like to enable Members, who are Tutors, to teach groups of children. This is not happening unless a Tutor already has a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. As a Charity, The Lace Guild is able to make this happen by signing up with an “Umbrella” organisation that would do the DBS checks on our behalf. This would then enable the Tutors to teach the next generation. These DBS checks are available free to volunteer tutors who are Members of TLG, while TLG will be paying the Admin Fee.
Volunteer Definition:
The Applicant must NOT:
• Benefit directly from the position for which the DBS application is being submitted
• Receive any payment (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses)
• Be on a work placement
• Be on a course that requires them to do this job role
• Be in a trainee position that will lead to a full-time role/qualification
The DBS is not required for mini pop-up workshops where the contact with children is “incidental”, such as events where a parent or adult is with the child. However, a DBS is required for a children-specific event, and it needs to be the Enhanced level with+ children’s barred list. Individuals are expected to join the Update Service, if able to do so.
How to Complete a Lace Guild DBS Application
Contact Liz via The Lace Guild (TLG) office, providing your Membership Number, to ask for a DBS check
Liz will contact you via phone or email to arrange a chat to
confirm you qualify for a Lace Guild DBS check
Your details will be added to the ‘umbrella organisation’
dashboard
You will receive an email asking you to fill in an online form including details confirming who you are (there should be another offline option if essential)
You will then need to complete a digital ID check
(these are online but there should be other options if essential)
The umbrella organisation will let TLG/Liz know when the check is completed, and your DBS certificate will be posted to you
Send a photo or scan of the certificate to TLG/Liz as confirmation - it will then be deleted as per GDPR regulations but a record that it has been seen will be kept
Congratulations,
you are now ready to teach the next generation of lacemakers
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this going to happen?
Let us introduce you to our Volunteer DBS Administrator:
I am Liz Hobbs, and I restarted making lace in May 2024. I originally began making lace as a not quite teenager back in 1985. However, education, work and family life got in the way, and I was finally spurred into action to return to learning this amazing craft having inherited all my mum’s lace making equipment. I am so glad that I did.
I love to learn and develop my skills, and I’m passionate that we should encourage young people to take up this wonderful traditional craft in order that it can continue on for generations to come. That is why I am very pleased to take on the role of volunteer DBS co-ordinator for The Lace Guild.
I have experience of processing DBS checks via an umbrella organisation through a previous volunteering role with another charity. I will therefore be able to guide you step-by-step through the process. I remember when I first had a DBS check done many years ago, that the process seemed very complicated and longwinded. With the advancement of technology, the process is now much smoother and can be done almost entirely from the comfort of your own home.
Please don’t worry if you aren’t very good with technology as we will be able to guide you through the whole process and anticipate that we will be able to find ways to make it work for you.
Who is eligible?
Applicants will need to be:
• A Full LG Member
• Fully intend to remain a Member of the LG for the following 3 years
• Sign up with TLG to be a Volunteer – we can only provide DBS checks to Tutors who are willing to teach children as a Volunteer (see Definition above)
• Already be a Lace Tutor (a free DBS check will be rolled out to those who wish to become a Tutor at a later date).
Who will pay?
As a LG Member and Volunteer - it is free and TLG will pay the admin fee.
What is the process?
Liz will guide you through the process, but the flow chart above will give you an idea of how it will work.
Liz can be contacted via The Hollies by email: office@laceguild.org
What is the Update Service?
This is an online service run by the Government and is free to Volunteers. It automatically updates your DBS check, if requested.
Can my DBS check with the Update Service be used by other organisations who I volunteer with now and in the future?
With your permission, yes.
If I am being paid to teach, can I still get a DBS check via The Lace Guild?
Yes, but you will need to pay for the DBS check, along with the Admin Fee and the Update Service.
• £21.20 Administration Fee (charged by the “Umbrella” organisation and includes a Digital ID check) TBC
• £49.50 Enhanced DBS with Children’s barred list
• £16.00 Annual Update Service
The above costs were correct when checked, January 2025.
Can I apply for my own DBS check as an individual?
No, the DBS check needs to be done via TLG.
If I am already on the Update Service, do I need to have another check via The Lace Guild?
No, if you are already on the Update Service, we can check your certificate if we have your permission without you having to re-apply.
NB: GDPR = General Data Protection Regulation.