Are your applicants eligible for volunteer DBS checks?

By Personnel Checks

03 Sep 2014

Eligibility is very important when applying for a standard or enhanced check and you need to be completely sure applicants meet the qualifying criteria.

By Personnel Checks.

If you apply for the wrong level of check not only does it make the process a lot more time consuming as you will need to reapply for the right level, but it can also result in the Disclosure and Barring Service taking legal action against you. This applies for both paid and voluntary positions.

The Disclosure & Barring service (DBS) have recently reported an increase of organisations submitting applications for individuals who don’t actually qualify for a Volunteer DBS check. Before considering submitting a check for a volunteer, you should consider these things:

• View the updated eligibility guidance to make sure the applicant is eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check • Does the applicant meet the DBS’s definition of a volunteer; ‘A person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party other than or in addition to a close relative.’ • When you are satisfied that the applicant adheres to the above points you can then cross the volunteer box as ‘Yes’ on question x68 on the application form. If you’re looking to apply for free of charge volunteer checks the applicant must not: • Benefit financially from the volunteer position • Receive any payment (other than the agreed expenses) • Be on work placement • Be in a trainee position or undertaking study which will lead to full time employment or qualification • Be a paid foster carer or be a member of a foster care household If you are unsure about whether you or your volunteers are eligible for a DBS check please call Personnel Checks and speak to one of our advisors – 01254 355650

Enjoyed this? Read more from Personnel Checks

Latest news

1

Specialist legal practice triples in three years Director Mary Lowe with some of her team outside Mary E Lowe in Park Street Lytham

Specialist legal practice triples in three years

10 Jan 2025

2

CoolKit partners with HEAT centre to advance skills in sustainable automotive technology The HEAT Centre

CoolKit partners with HEAT centre to advance skills in sustainable automotive technology

10 Jan 2025

3

Kelmore welcomes new area sales manager to support rapid growth Tom Cheevers and Steve Kean

Kelmore welcomes new area sales manager to support rapid growth

10 Jan 2025

4

Boost scale up support helps LCM Environment services with rebranding LCM team with county councillor Carole Haythornthwaite

Boost scale up support helps LCM Environment services with rebranding

09 Jan 2025

5

IN4 Group delivers £44m in social impact and supports more than 3,000 people in tech careers IN4 Groups Skills City graduates

IN4 Group delivers £44m in social impact and supports more than 3,000 people in tech careers

09 Jan 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2025 - 15 Jan 2025

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

R.I.S.E. and Shine
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

R.I.S.E. and Shine

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

08:45 - 11:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
17 Jan 2025

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event

Lancastrian Suite, Town Hall, Chorley, PR7 1DP

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200Atkinsons New
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin