Wondering about DBS Checks for soft play employees?
This is something we get asked about a lot. As most of you probably know, DBS Checks are vital in lots of jobs that involve contact with children.
Soft play centres are, of course, full of children – so it’s easy to see why you might assume their employees need DBS Checks too.
However, it’s not quite as simple as that. So – what exactly is the deal with DBS Checks for soft play?
DBS Check eligibility explained
To be eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check, a person needs to meet specific eligibility requirements.
To have an Enhanced DBS Check for working with children, a person must carry out regulated activity with children as part of their role.
‘Regulated activity’ is a term used by the DBS to describe a specific list of activities that involve contact with children, including teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children. These activities must be done regularly and unsupervised to be classed as regulated activity.
It also includes work for a limited range of establishments where there is opportunity for contact with children – for example, schools and children’s homes.
DBS Checks for soft play employees: Are they eligible?
As mentioned previously, teaching, caring for or supervising children is only classed as regulated activity if it is done unsupervised and regularly.
At soft play centres, children are required to be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for supervising them.
Soft play employees are therefore not the ones supervising the children, and so they are not eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check.
Standard DBS Checks are only available to people carrying out specific roles and professions, listed here. This doesn’t include soft play employees, so they are also not eligible for a Standard Check.
Obtaining Basic DBS Checks for soft play employees
If you run a soft play centre and would like to carry out criminal record checks on your staff, you can obtain Basic DBS Checks for them.
Anyone aged 16 or over can have a Basic DBS Check – there are no eligibility requirements. The check will show whether the applicant has any unspent convictions or cautions.
While these checks can be requested by an employer, an individual can also apply for a basic check directly themselves.
DBS Checks for soft play: To sum up…
Whilst soft play employees do undoubtedly have regular contact with children, this contact is not unsupervised, and so they don’t qualify for an Enhanced DBS Check.
Carrying out Basic Checks on your employees is a great way to give parents an extra layer of confidence in your business, and will show that you are committed to safeguarding.
You can apply for Basic Checks quickly and easily through our online platform. There’s no registration fee and you only pay for the checks you need. Applying takes as little as five minutes, and most checks are complete within 48 hours.
Be sure to get in touch with us if you have any further questions. You can apply for a number of DBS Checks through our simple online platform – most checks are completed within 48 hours. Get started now.
