There are two types of regulated activity: regulated activity related to children and regulated activity related to adults. If the tasks undertaken by a volunteer fall into any of these categories, the organization can request reinforced verification and another verification by comparing it with the corresponding DBS list of prohibited persons. The enhanced DBS test is suitable for people who work with children or adults under certain circumstances, such as those receiving medical care or personal care. The improved DBS verification is also suitable for a small number of functions, such as applying for a taxi permit or working at the Gaming Commission by Azar.
DBS checks apply to the group of people a volunteer or employee will work with, such as children or vulnerable adults. Protective legislation allows organizations to carry out background checks on people they hire to work or volunteer in regulated activities. Checks are issued by AccessNI. Volunteers don't have to pay the DBS check.
However, organizations will have to pay a small administration fee if they use a coordinating entity (at UCheck, it's only 10.40 pounds sterling per check). In order to receive a check from DBS, a volunteer must perform unpaid work for the benefit of an unrelated third party, with no intention of obtaining anything in return. They must also work in a regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. If your coaches, volunteers, or instructors work with children or youth, they may be eligible to undergo a DBS check.
For example, if a person usually drives adults to the hospital and back from the hospital, but now also helps with shopping, there will be no need for a new DBS test. Other available checks include a standard check and an improved check that also checks several lists of prohibited checks. This occurs when an employer, volunteer director, or other organization fears that someone has caused harm or may cause harm to vulnerable groups and submits a request for a ban to DBS. There are four types of DBS verification, and each type results in the issuance of a DBS certificate to an individual. While verifying a position with children would normally not be sufficient for working with adults, groups may consider this to be reasonably safe, depending on the verification information and the circumstances of the environment.
If you request that an employee, coach or volunteer check if there is anything in their history that could pose a protection problem if they are allowed to work with at-risk youth or adults. If you're thinking about starting an unpaid position or you're a person who recruits volunteers, you might be interested in learning about DBS checks for volunteers. Regardless of the person and the type of work you do, only people who reside in England and Wales can receive DBS checks. Trainers, instructors, and volunteers will usually only be able to receive an improved paycheck if they work with adults who receive certain types of medical or social care.
The update service is an online subscription, which allows applicants to keep their DBS certificates up to date and employers to view the DBS certificate. Providers of regulated activities (employers or voluntary managers of people working in regulated activities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and personnel providers have a legal obligation to consult the DBS when certain conditions are met. Most people know that if you are going to work with children or young people, you may be eligible to get tested for DBS. You can learn more about government guidelines on regulated activity for children here and about regulated activity for adults here.
Recruiters should only request a criminal background check on a person when they are legally authorized to do so; the law should have the right to ask a person to disclose their full criminal history.
