When it comes to volunteers, there are certain exceptions to the requirement of having an improved DBS verification. These include if the volunteer is going to help a sick or disabled child with activities such as eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, washing, or getting dressed. Additionally, if the volunteer is going to provide medical care to children, then a DBS check is necessary. It is important to consider whether monitoring is necessary or if other safeguards can provide adequate protection.
Only certain volunteer functions and activities are eligible for review, and it is a crime to request a check from DBS if the position isn't eligible for one. DBS checks should not be used simply to check boxes “just in case”. Volunteers from schools that are not supervised should perform a DBS check with a check of prohibited lists, as they are considered to be carrying out a “regulated activity”. This means that volunteers do not have to perform this function three or more times in a period of 30 days or between 2 and 6 hours, but that they have the possibility to contact the children before they can be examined. DBS doesn't ask for a full address history, but it does want to know where you've been living for the past 5 years.
The DBS now provides a simple tool to help organizations decide if they can check roles. Basic disclosure is not an explicit requirement for any job, so it's unlikely that a volunteer will be asked to apply for one. Enhanced disclosure is only available for functions listed in the 1975 Order (exceptions) of the Offender Rehabilitation Act of 1974 and the purpose of the verification must be one of those included in rule 5A of the Police Act of 1997 (Criminal Record) Regulations 2002, which includes considering the applicant's suitability in the circumstances set out in regulations 5C and 5B. Doing something like volunteering at a big sporting event or working at a charity store doesn't fall under the definition of regulated activity and you won't need a DBS verification. The Outreach and Prohibition Service defines a volunteer as a person who performs an activity that involves dedicating time, without compensation (except travel expenses and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), to perform a function that is intended to benefit a school.
Organizations that do not complete this number of checks can work with a “coordinating entity” (which normally charges a fee) to process checks on their behalf. If a person only volunteers once a quarter or for a one-off event at a hospital or similar, then it is unlikely that they will need to undergo a DBS test. Only volunteers who dedicate their time on average once a week, or more than four times over the course of a month, need to be tested for DBS. Leaders who are there every week would need improved DBS control or a similar check in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, those volunteers can obtain, on a discretionary basis, improved DBS verification, which does not include checking the list of prohibited persons for children. A school can obtain improved DBS verification (not including the list of banned people) for supervised volunteers who do not carry out a “regulated activity”, but who have the opportunity to come into contact with children on a regular basis.
Volunteers at schools (i.e., “specific locations”) who are supervised at a reasonable level do not need to undergo a DBS check, as these volunteers are not considered to be carrying out a “regulated activity”.This means that, unless organizations hire staff for a position that is included in the order of exceptions, they can only ask volunteers to reveal their unused convictions. As an expert in SEO optimization, I recommend understanding what exceptions exist when it comes to requiring an improved DBS check for volunteers. Certain activities such as helping sick or disabled children with basic needs do not require this type of verification. Additionally, if volunteers are providing medical care or working at schools without supervision then they may need an improved DBS check with prohibited list review. It is important to note that basic disclosure is not required for any job and enhanced disclosure is only available for certain functions listed in the 1975 Order (exceptions).Organizations should also consider whether monitoring is necessary or if other safeguards can provide adequate protection when deciding whether or not volunteers need an improved DBS check.
If volunteers are dedicating their time on average once per week or more than four times over the course of one month then they may need this type of verification. However, if they are volunteering once per quarter or for one-off events then it is unlikely that they will need this type of test.
