If you are thinking about starting an unpaid role or are someone who recruits volunteers, you may need to know about DBS Checks for volunteers.
Not all volunteers are eligible for DBS Checks though, so it’s important to understand the rules and regulations surrounding them before attempting to apply for one.
At uCheck, we’re experts in all things DBS. In this blog, we explain the ins and outs of DBS Checks for volunteers including how to get them, when do volunteers need DBS checks, and whether you need one.
Do volunteers need DBS checks?
Only volunteers who fulfil certain criteria will be eligible for a DBS Check.
Firstly, the individual must fit the definition of a ‘volunteer’. The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002 defines a volunteer as ‘any individual engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out of pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party and not a close relative’.
The individual must also meet the eligibility requirements for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check, which generally involves working with children or vulnerable adults in a regulated activity. You can find out more about the government’s guidance on regulated activity for children here, and on regulated activity for adults here.
Some examples of volunteer roles that would be eligible for a DBS Check include:
- parent helpers in schools or nurseries
- a volunteer in a care home who does shopping on residents’ behalf
- scout leaders
- adoptive parents
- a volunteer who mentors disabled adults
Do parent volunteers need a DBS check?
If you volunteer in a school and you meet the frequency requirements but don’t work alongside children, then you will not typically be eligible for an additional barred list check.
However, if you volunteer with children and will spend time with them unsupervised, you’ll usually be eligible for a check against the children’s barred list. An example would be a parent volunteer who is left alone with children whilst helping them with reading.
The school you’re volunteering for will need to request the appropriate level of check on your behalf. This is because only companies or organisations can request DBS checks – individuals can’t request high-level DBS checks for themselves.
They’ll need your consent to complete the check, and should make sure they follow legal and Ofsted requirements. The school should also ensure that they only make a recruitment decision once the check is complete.
Are DBS checks for volunteers free?
If you or your volunteers meet the requirements above, then the DBS will not charge a fee for the DBS check. If you use an umbrella body like us then there may be an administration fee to pay.
If you or your volunteers don’t meet the requirements, then the DBS will charge £18 per check. A volunteer will not qualify for a DBS Check if they:
- 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)
- Are on a work placement
- Are on a course that requires them to do this job role
- Are in a trainee position that will lead to a full-time role/qualification
If a volunteer applies for a Standard or Enhanced Check and does not fit this eligibility criteria, the DBS may retrospectively recover the full application fee.
What level of check do I need?
DBS Checks for volunteers can only be conducted at Standard and Enhanced level. This means that individuals themselves cannot apply and it must be done by the organisation they are working for.
Are DBS checks for volunteers free?
There is no DBS Check cost for the volunteers to pay providing the above requirements are met. However, organisations will have to pay a small administration fee if they use an umbrella body.
The DBS do not issue free Basic DBS Checks for volunteers because Basic Checks are not a legal requirement. If an organisation wishes to apply for a Basic DBS check (for either paid staff or volunteers) the organisation or the individual can apply through uCheck’s easy online platform.
If you or your volunteers don’t meet the requirements, then the DBS will charge £18 per check. A volunteer will not qualify for a DBS Check if they:
- 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)
- Are on a work placement
- Are on a course that requires them to do this job role
- Are in a trainee position that will lead to a full-time role/qualification
If a volunteer applies for a Standard or Enhanced Check and does not fit this eligibility criteria, the DBS may retrospectively recover the full application fee.
Applying for volunteer DBS checks
You might be thinking, how do I apply for a volunteer DBS check? DBS checks for volunteers typically follow the same process as the checks for those in paid employment. The organisation provides the volunteer with an application form, which must then be returned with several forms of identification.
The DBS will then issue a certificate to the applicant to provide them with the result of the check.
DBS checks for volunteers: A summary
So, do volunteers need DBS checks? In summary, in order to be eligible for a DBS check, a volunteer must be undertaking unpaid work for the benefit of an unrelated third party, with no intent to gain anything in return. They must also be working in a regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.
Get volunteer DBS checks with uCheck
You can get a DBS check with uCheck! And the best thing is you only need to pay for what you need. Check out our pricing for more information. See our Volunteer DBS Checks for more information. If you work for an organisation that carries out DBS checks on its employees, uCheck can help you. We also offer the following DBS checks:
If you have any unanswered questions about DBS checks for volunteers or want to find out more, then get in touch with us and we’d be happy to help.
