Organizations that do not use DBS verification services, such as DBS checks, to complete the DBS process for any position involving activities that could cause harm to other staff members, clients, or clients, run the risk of facing legal action. Careful consideration should be given to whether monitoring is necessary or if other safeguards provide adequate protection. Only certain volunteer functions and activities are eligible for review, and it's a crime to request a check from DBS if the position isn't eligible. DBS checks should not be used simply to check boxes “just in case”.
The DBS Code of Practice states that disclosures should not be kept for more than six months, except in exceptional circumstances. It can be difficult for organizations to identify when it is appropriate to carry out criminal background checks on volunteers. This means that volunteers don't have to perform the role three or more times in a 30-day period or between 02:00 and 06:00 hours, with the possibility of contacting children before they can be examined. These types of controls can only be carried out if a volunteer or a paid worker is going to perform a job known as a regulated activity. Care Check is one of the main coordinating bodies of the Outreach and Prohibition Service and has been named one of the top 8 providers of criminal background checks in the United Kingdom.
They cannot request standard or enhanced disclosure of data, as they reveal expired convictions and other types of information that most organizations have no right to see. When it comes to DBS checks for people who work as volunteers, there are the same requirements as for paid workers, but with some important differences. It can help organizations where volunteers participate determine if a person is a suitable candidate for the position they are applying for. The other issue related to volunteering is that not all volunteers should check for DBS under all circumstances. Whether you're a business owner and you hire employees yourself or you work as a recruiter and candidate examiner, it's critical that you understand the implications of not following the correct procedure in relation to DBS checks. This means that the regularity with which the activity is carried out is no longer important to improve outreach without checking the prohibited list (s).Many professions require that employees (current, potential, and volunteer) undergo some form of DBS verification.
Employers who do not follow the correct procedure regarding DBS checks may face legal action or be sued. This means that, unless organizations hire staff for a position that is included in the order of exceptions, they can only ask volunteers to disclose sentences they have not served. For example, a volunteer who meets weekly with someone with learning difficulties could be evaluated at a higher level, while an administrative volunteer from the same organization with access to their personal history would not. Organizations must take into account all potential risks when deciding whether or not to conduct DBS checks. Failing to do so could result in serious consequences such as legal action or lawsuits.
It's important to understand which positions require DBS verification and which do not in order to ensure that all volunteers are properly vetted and protected.
