DBS Need to know

Standard DBS check

A Standard DBS check is suitable for certain roles, such as a security guard. The certificate will contain details of both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings that are held on the Police National Computer, which are not subject to filtering.

An individual cannot apply for a standard check by themselves. There must be a recruiting organisation who needs the applicant to get the check. This is then sent to DBS through a Registered Body.

The service is free for volunteers.

Enhanced DBS check

An Enhanced DBS check is suitable for people working with children or adults in certain circumstances such as those in receipt of healthcare or personal care. An Enhanced DBS check is also suitable for a small number of other roles such as taxi licence applications or people working in the Gambling Commission.

The certificate will contain the same details as a standard certificate and, if the role is eligible, an employer can request that one or both of the DBS Barred Lists are checked.

The certificate may also contain non-conviction information supplied by relevant police forces, if it is deemed relevant and ought to be contained in the certificate.

An individual cannot apply for an Enhanced DBS check by themselves. There must be a recruiting organisation who needs the applicant to get the check. This is then sent to DBS through a Registered Body.

The service is free for volunteers.

More and more employers are requesting potential employees to get a DBS check certificate.

And it’s not just for paid employment. Organisations that take on volunteers have the same duties and responsibilities to make sure that vulnerable groups are safeguarded. Even voluntary organisations that don’t work with children or vulnerable adults might require a criminal record DBS check to vet volunteers for roles that require financial responsibility, for example. 

But, as voluntary roles are unpaid, do applicants or organisations still have to pay or are DBS checks for volunteers free?

How much do DBS checks cost?

The cost of a DBS check depends on the level of the check. At the time of writing the following prices apply to DBS checks:

For voluntary, unpaid roles, the fees for Standard or Enhanced DBS checks can be waived, as these are the only levels required by law. A Basic check is not enough for regulated activities, therefore the voluntary organisation will only usually request a higher level check if needed. There is usually a small administration fee for volunteer DBS checks to cover running costs.

If you are considering volunteering and want to find out whether you are eligible to get a free standard or enhanced DBS check, you need to check whether you meet the necessary criteria. 

Criteria for a free volunteer DBS check

A volunteer, or potential volunteer, will only qualify for a free DBS check if they meet the following criteria:

• The role must fit the definition of voluntary service defined by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002.

•  The voluntary role must benefit a third-party or third-parties, not close friends or relatives.

•  The role must involve no remuneration or compensation, apart from the payment of travel expenses or other approved legitimate expenses accrued in the pursuit of the role.

•  The role must also be classified as a regulated activity which requires a standard or enhanced DBS (i.e. working with children or vulnerable adults).

Any request that meets the following criteria will NOT be eligible for a free DBS check if the applicant:

• Benefits, or will benefit, financially from the role for which the DBS application is being made.

•  Receives, or will receive, any payments other than travel or other acceptable expenses.

•  Is in a work-placement such as an internship or other unpaid work experience.

•  Is on a training course or training placement that requires working in the specific role.

•  Is working as an unpaid apprentice or trainee that is likely to lead to a full-time position.

If all the criteria is met, the organisation can go ahead and apply for a free standard or enhanced DBS check, remembering that there may be a small administration fee.

If it turns out retrospectively that the criteria above was not met, the organisation that applied on the individual’s behalf may be liable to pay the usual DBS check fee.  

Applying for a DBS check 

1.   Your placement provider will have to clarify that you have confirmed your place with them for a voluntary position. They will then be able to write you a corporate headed letter to prove that this placement is going ahead. This letter will then be forwarded with your paperwork to the DBS offices. The Work Placement Officer will be able to request this with the rest of the paperwork needed to be completed for the placement to go ahead. Please contact futures@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk to start the process of agreeing your placement.

2. Your DBS will need to be checked by college's DBS Countersignatory.  Please ask at Futures for a meeting to discuss.