Organizations that use criminal background checks should not completely exclude individuals with a criminal record. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requires that organizations that use such checks have a policy in place for hiring ex-offenders. Organizations must adhere to the DBS code of practice, which seeks to ensure that sensitive personal information is properly handled, stored, and kept only for as long as necessary. When it comes to DBS checks for volunteers, the same requirements apply as for paid workers, but with some important differences.
Standard verification is available for functions, positions, and licenses included in the Offender Rehabilitation Act (ROA) (Offender Rehabilitation Act) (Roa) Order of 1975 (exceptions), such as judicial officers, prison employment, and Security Industry Authority (SIA) licenses. As DBS cannot access criminal records held abroad, the criminal background check may not provide a complete picture of a person's criminal record. For certain functions, the verification will also include information that appears on the lists of prohibited persons for children and adults, along with any information held by local police forces that is considered relevant to the position requested. The basic criminal background check can be used for any position or purpose; however, for certain functions, you may need a higher-level criminal background check. Your employer can also request basic DBS verification on your behalf, if you have your consent, through a responsible organization.
They can only access standard DBS checks, improved and enhanced with lists of prohibited people (except for injunctive warnings and convictions that are not verified in a criminal background check).If you're uncertain about what type of DBS verification is needed for volunteers, we are happy to explain the process to you. A basic DBS check is simply to verify the current information stored about you on the police computer in terms of unexecuted convictions. Volunteers may need a basic, standard, or enhanced DBS test before they can embark on their volunteer position. Volunteers may have to pay the administration fee for their own DBS checks online, but DBS will not charge any fees. Any future need for a DBS check would have to be submitted as a new application and a new fee would have to be paid.
The other issue related to volunteering is that not all volunteers should be subject to DBS checks under all circumstances.
