DBS checks for Charites, Voluntary Organisations and Non-Profits

Charities, voluntary organisations and non-profits help protect and support the most vulnerable people in society. This means there is a responsibility to safeguard the children or vulnerable adults under their care. DBS Checks are the tools that give organisations the power to make safe and informed recruitment decisions. Thousands of organisations in the voluntary sector across the UK already rely on Personnel Checks to support them with their DBS Checks.

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DBS Checks for Volunteers

To be eligible for Volunteer DBS Checks an individual must meet the following definition:

“Any person 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.”

Volunteer DBS Checks are exactly the same as the Enhanced DBS Check, except they are offered at a significantly discounted rate. This means individuals requiring a Volunteer DBS Check must also meet the usual eligibility criteria for an Enhanced DBS Check.

If you’re not sure whether your candidates meet the criteria for Volunteer DBS Checks, give us a call on 01254 355659 and we can discuss this with you.

DBS Checks for Charity Workers

Full-time, paid members of staff responsible for some kind of care or support will require an Enhanced DBS Check. The Enhanced DBS Check shows an individual's full criminal record history including and can include a search of any relevant barred lists.

Employers in this sector need this information to ensure inappropriate people aren’t recruited into roles where they pose a danger to vulnerable adults or children.

Staff who aren’t involved in direct care or support, such as charity shop workers, don’t need an Enhanced DBS Check. However, it’s recommended that a Basic DBS Check be carried out.

DBS Checks for Charity Trustees

Charity Trustees usually require an Enhanced DBS Check as they can be classed as managing individuals carrying our regulated activity in relation to adults or children. In some cases, trustees are also classed as volunteers but this would need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The eligibility criteria that determines what roles need what level of DBS Check can be extremely complex in the voluntary sector. If you’re unsure whether a staff member requires an Enhanced or Volunteer DBS Check, please get in touch. To discuss it with a member of the team, give us a call on 01254 355659, alternatively, click the button below to request a callback.

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DBS Checks in the Voluntary Sector Ebook

DOWNLOAD OUR LATEST EBOOk Best Practice Guidance: DBS Checks in the Voluntary Sector

In this ebook, we provide practical advice on DBS Checks and the DBS checking process for charities, non-profits and other organisations in the voluntary sector.

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Why Personnel Checks

Personnel Checks support thousands of domestic and international charities, non-profits and voluntary organisations. You can be sure we have the experience to meet your organisation’s unique requirements. Processing background checks for nearly two decades, we have one of the lowest error rates and fastest turnaround times of any screening business in the UK.

To request a callback, click the button below and one of our experts will get in touch with you asap. Alternatively, you can give us a call on 01254 355659.

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Frequently asked questions

We would never recommend using a DBS Check that has been issued in another employer’s name.
DBS Certificates are only valid at the point of issue. This means there is potential for new information to have been recorded on someone’s criminal record history in the time that’s elapsed since its issue.
Aside from this, the existing DBS Check would need to be for the exact same purposes as the one required by your organisation for it to be considered valid.
Volunteers aren’t eligible for the Volunteer DBS Check by merit of them carrying out volunteer work. Volunteer DBS Checks are simply Enhanced DBS Checks which are subsidised by UK Government.
To be eligible for this check, volunteers need to be carrying out some form of regulated activity.
Volunteers not involved in the care, supervision or support of vulnerable adults or children are not classed as carrying out regulated activity. This means they are only eligible for the Basic DBS Check.
Regulated activity is work that a barred person cannot do. It refers to roles that involve the care, supervision or support of children and/or vulnerable adults.
Many roles in the voluntary sector involve this kind of work. Anyone carrying out this type of work will be required to have an Enhanced DBS Check carried out. If they are voluntary staff they may be eligible for a discounted Volunteer DBS Check.
The Disclosure and Barring Service have guidance booklets relating to roles in the Child Workforce, Adult Workforce and Other Workforce.

DBS Checks aren’t free for charities but some are charged at a significantly reduced rate. For any applicants who meet the criteria for a Volunteer DBS Check, there is only an administration that needs to be paid.
DBS Checks for paid staff members are charged at the usual rate by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In most cases, charity shop workers do not need an Enhanced DBS Check as they aren’t carrying out regulated activity.

Basic DBS Checks are usually recommended for any volunteers or staff working in charity shops. This ensures best safeguarding practice.
Volunteer DBS Checks are only valid when used for the purposes of the organisation that requested it.
This means that Volunteer DBS Checks cannot be used when applying for paid work and cannot be used to register for the DBS Update Service
The cost of a DBS Check varies depending on which level of check is being applied for. Our list prices are:
Basic DBS Check: £43.10
Standard DBS Check: £52.20
Enhanced DBS Check: £75.90
Volunteer DBS Check: £26.40
What you see is what you get. We have no hidden fees and we don’t charge extra for ‘fast-track’ services that don’t exist.
Prices include VAT.