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DBS Checks For Actors And Supporting Artists: All You Need To Know

Filming Crew

Do actors and supporting artists need DBS Checks?

As with any industry, robust safeguarding measures are absolutely vital in TV, film and theatre, so it’s important to know whether the people working in these contexts should be checked.

In this blog we’ll explain everything you need to know about DBS Checks for actors and supporting artists.

The different levels of DBS Check

Before we delve into the specifics of DBS Checks for actors, let’s look at the different types of check that are available.

There are three different levels of DBS Check – Basic, Standard and Enhanced – and each level has different eligibility criteria.

A person can only have a DBS Check if they meet the eligibility criteria for that type of check.

What sort of check are actors and supporting artists eligible for?

In general, actors and supporting artists are only eligible for Basic DBS Checks as their roles do not meet the eligibility criteria for Standard or Enhanced Checks.

This will be the case even if they’re working on a production with children in it, as the children involved will always be supervised by a chaperone or parent/guardian.

An actor or supporting artist would only be eligible for a higher-level check if they were also carrying out regulated activity with children in addition to their acting role.

For example, if an actor was teaching, training or instructing child cast members, they may be eligible for an Enhanced Check.

If you’re not sure whether a role is eligible, see the DBS guidance we linked to above or get in touch with us.

Basic Checks for supporting artists working in TV and film

In 2016, a group of major broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, Sky and TV trade association PACT, brought in new guidelines around Basic DBS Checks for supporting artists.

These broadcasters now require all supporting artists working on productions involving under 18s to have a Basic DBS Check.

How to apply for a Basic DBS Check

Applying for a Basic DBS Check is easy. For all applicants except non-EEA national (European Economic Area) applicants, you’ll need to provide one document from Group 1, which includes:

  • Your birth certificate (issued within 12 months of birth)
  • Your current/valid passport
  • Your current driving licence photocard (this can be a full or provisional licence)

And a further document from Group 1 above or Group 2, which includes:

  • Your marriage/civil partnership certificate
  • A bank or building society statement issued within the last 3 months
  • A utility bill issued within the last 3 months

Check out our blog for more information about the documents you can provide to apply for a DBS Check.

If you’re a non-EEA applicant, this guide has further information on the documents you will need.

Apply now through our simple online platform, or check out the DBS guidance on Basic Checks to find out more.

Our blogs are advisory in nature and reflect uCheck Limited’s current thinking about best and common practice in the subjects discussed.

The information contained in our blogs have been provided for information purposes only. This information does not constitute legal, professional, or commercial advice. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the content is up to date, useful and accurate, uCheck gives no guarantees, undertakings, or warranties in this regard, or, for any loss or damage caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with reliance on the use of such information.

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