Smart, fast, secure, and affordable checks for Community Groups
DBS Checks for Charities
Charities and the work that they do are the fabric of our communities, from LGBTQI+ groups and disability charities, to charities that support the work of science and those that focus on animal welfare.
With a vast array of roles on offer within charitable organisations, a lot of the work is undertaken by volunteers.
Working within a charity may mean that you work with different members of the community, including children and vulnerable adults. This may require Enhanced DBS checks for charities to ensure that safeguarding is properly adhered to.
A Charity DBS is often a prerequisite to working with a charity as an employee or as a volunteer; however, not everyone is eligible for every type of DBS.
What Types of DBS are There?
There are three levels of DBS check for charities – Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks. At MyVetting.com, we deliver quick, accurate and affordable online DBS checks at all levels.
What Type of DBS do Charity Volunteers need?
All charity volunteers that volunteer with a charity will be eligible for a Basic DBS check. Only some individuals volunteering will be eligible for Enhanced DBS checks for charities – but eligibility will depend on the nature of the role within the charity, rather than the nature of the charity.
Volunteers engaged in Regulated Activity will require an Enhanced DBS check and may require a check against the Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred Lists.
Many charity volunteers work in the charity shops that are the mainstay of the UK high street.
Although these volunteers may serve or talk to vulnerable adults or children, they are not engaged in Regulated Activity and will not need an Enhanced DBS check. Many charities request that their shop team undergo a Basic DBS check.
What Type of DBS do Charity Employees need?
As with volunteers, all employees in a charity setting will be eligible for a Basic Disclosure check.
If the employee’s role necessitates working directly with Children or Vulnerable Adults, they may require an Enhanced DBS check and may require a check against the Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred Lists.
Employees of any charity working with children or vulnerable adults in a Regulated Activity will require an Enhanced DBS check.
What is Regulated Activity
Regulated Activity is used to describe a set of specific circumstances that may be undertaken by employees or volunteers with children or vulnerable adults, in terms of the time or manner of the activities and interaction.
When considering DBS checks for charities, understanding if the role involves Regulated Activity or not is essential.
Individuals that are listed on the Barred Lists may not undertake regulated activity with the respective group named on the Barred List.
Can Charity Volunteers Get an Online DBS Checks?
Yes, they can. It is usually the charity that requests the DBS check for an online DBS check, although both charity staff and volunteers can undertake a personal basic DBS check.
If charity volunteers or employees require an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List check, this will be requested by the charity.
Charities can issue online DBS checks in seconds with MyVetting, with an easy to use DBS portal that sends check alerts straight to your employees’ or volunteers’ email addresses.
Evidence can be uploaded and submitted in seconds and completed DBS reports return within 24 hours for online Basic DBS checks and 5-10 days for online Standard and online Enhanced DBS checks.
Do you have charity trustees? Your trustees may also require a DBS check online.
How Much Does a DBS Check cost for Charities?
This will depend on the charity that is requesting the DBS checks. A MyVetting Volunteer DBS check has a small administration charge that may be paid by the charity.
At MyVetting, we’ve worked really hard to reduce administration fees for volunteers as our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for everything that you do to make our world a bit easier for everyone. The DBS do not charge a fee for a Volunteer DBS check.
What Does an Enhanced DBS Check for Volunteers Show?
The Volunteer Basic DBS checks for charities will show, or disclose, any unspent convictions on the applicant’s criminal record.
The Volunteer Enhanced DBS checks for charities will show the same information as a Standard DBS check – cautions, spent or unspent convictions, reprimands or final warnings on the applicant’s criminal record – as well as any relevant information that may be held by applicant’s local police force.
Volunteers whose role involves working with children or vulnerable adults may also be eligible for a check against the Children’s Barred List or the Adult’s Barred List, also known as List 99. The Barred Lists contain details of people barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
How long does it take to get a DBS for charity volunteers?
Applying for DBS checks for charity volunteers is quick and simple.
Register in seconds and send check alerts directly to the applicant. They’ll be alerted instantly and can begin the check process straight away. Don’t worry – if they’re busy and forget to start their check, we’ll send them a text reminder after 24 and 48 hours.
When your employees upload their proof of identity, their reports will be returned within 5-10 days.
Apply for an Online DBS for Charity Volunteers
