Guide for volunteers on DBS checks – the guide provides information on the disclosure application process for volunteers.
Disclosure and Barring Service from Salford CVS
"Salford CVS is the city-wide infrastructure organisation for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector; providing specialist information, advice, development support and opportunities for influence and collaboration."
(DBS) If your group or organisation works with children or vulnerable adults, it may be necessary for paid staff and volunteers to undergo DBS checks (formerly known as CRB checks).
DBS checks are designed to help organisations from public, private and VCSE sectors to make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain areas of work, especially those which may involve contact with children or other vulnerable members of society.
How can Salford CVS help?
As a registered DBS Umbrella Body, Salford CVS is able to help groups and organisations through the process of applying for DBS checks on staff and volunteers. Our role is to:
- Check and validate the information provided by the applicant on the application form
- Establish the true identity of the applicant through the examination of a range of documents using guidance provided by the DBS
- Ensure the application form is fully completed and that the information it contains is accurate
- Countersign applications to confirm that the organisation has an entitlement to access criminal records information
- Ensure compliance with the DBS’s code of practice.
Applicants and employers can now use the DBS update service launched in June 2013 to keep a certificate up to date or carry out checks on a potential employee’s certificate. This service is free to volunteers and for paid workers the subscription costs £13 per year.
There are 3 types of criminal record checks:
- Standard - £45 Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, final warnings (£15.00 if you are a volunteer)
- Enhanced - £60 As above, plus any additional information held locally by police forces that’s reasonably considered relevant to the post applied for (£15.00 if you are a volunteer)
- Enhanced with barred check - £60 As above, plus a check of the appropriate DBS barred lists (£15.00 if you are a volunteer)
A DBS check has no official expiry date. Any information included on a check will be accurate at the time the check was carried out. It is up to an employer to decide if they think a new check is needed.
For advice and guidance or to apply for a DBS check please call 0161 787 7795 to book an appointment or email [email protected] for further information.