Volunteering is a vital part of many organisations, especially those working with vulnerable people such as children, the elderly, or individuals with special needs. To maintain a safe environment, it’s often essential to conduct a volunteer DBS check – just as you would for paid staff. This guide explains what a volunteer DBS check is, why it’s needed, which types of checks are available, and why our fast, reliable service is your best choice.
Do Volunteers Need a DBS Check?
Yes. Regardless of whether someone is paid or volunteers their time, safeguarding requirements remain the same. If the role places the volunteer in a position of trust, or one that requires contact with sensitive groups, a DBS check is typically a legal or regulatory necessity to help protect everyone involved.
If there is no legal requirement for a DBS check, then a Basic DBS can still be requested.
What Is a Volunteer?
Whilst we all have our own definitions of a volunteer, in order to get a free-of-charge DBS, a ‘volunteer’ must meet the following description:
“any individual 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 and not a close relative” (Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations).
But what does that really mean? For an individual to be able to get a volunteer DBS discount, they must NOT be:
- Financially benefiting from the position the DBS application is being submitted for.
- Receiving any payment for their role (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses).
- On a work placement.
- In a trainee position that will lead to a full-time job or qualification.
- A member of a paid foster carer household.
Types of DBS Checks for Volunteers
The type of DBS check required varies according to the level of contact and responsibility the volunteer’s role involves. There are three levels of DBS checks:
Basic DBS Check
- Shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.
- Note: Basic checks are not free for volunteers because they are not legally mandated for most roles.
- Basic DBS checks are available for roles that are not eligible for Standard or Enhanced DBS checks.
Standard DBS Check
- Discloses both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
- Free of charge from the DBS for volunteers (you only pay our small admin fee).
- To request a Standard DBS check, the individuals role must be eligible.
Enhanced DBS Check (with or without Barred Lists)
- Includes the same information as a Standard check plus any relevant information held by local police.
- Often required for roles involving regular contact with children or vulnerable adults. If legally eligible, can also include a check of the relevant barred list(s).
- Also free from the DBS for volunteers (again, only an admin fee applies).
- To request a Enhanced DBS check, the individuals role must be eligible.
If you are unsure what level of DBS check your volunteers are eligible, we recommend using the Government’s official DBS eligibility tool as a starting point.
How Much Does a Volunteer DBS Check Cost?
Standard & Enhanced DBS Checks for volunteers are free from the DBS. You will only pay our low administration fee.
- Standard Volunteer DBS Check Cost: £8.75 (+VAT)
- Enhanced Volunteer DBS Check Cost: £10.95 (+VAT)
Basic DBS Check is not free for volunteers; the standard DBS fee of £21.50 applies plus our admin fee of £5.45 (+VAT).
| Disclosure Type | DBS Application Fee (No VAT) | Admin Fee (+VAT) | Total (+Admin Fee VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic DBS Check | £21.50 | £5.45 | £26.95 |
| Standard DBS Check (Volunteer) | £0 | £8.75 | £8.75 |
| Enhanced DBS Check (Volunteer) | £0 | £10.95 | £10.95 |
Why Aren’t Basic DBS Checks Free for Volunteers?
A Basic check is not a legal requirement for voluntary roles, so the DBS does not waive its fee.
How to Apply for DBS Checks For Your Volunteers
- Sign Up: Create an account on our website—registration is quick, free, and has no minimum spend requirements.
- Enter Volunteer Details: Provide some basic information about the volunteers you want DBS checks for.
- Choose the Correct Check: Select a Standard or Enhanced check (free from the DBS) or a Basic check (subject to DBS fee).
- Complete & Submit the Application: The application can be filled out by the organisation or the volunteer. Our fast DBS checks system will highlight any potential errors to help avoid delays.
- Track Progress: We’ll send email updates as your volunteer’s online DBS check moves through each stage.
- Receive Results: Once the application is complete, the volunteer will receive an official certificate in the proof. If the check comes back with no information, you will also be able to view a PDF summary online.
Why Use Faster DBS for Your Volunteer DBS Check?
- Fast Turnaround: Our direct connection to the UK Government Gateway often means results in days—or even hours.
- Expert Guidance: Unsure about which check you need? Our knowledgeable support team is here to help.
- Low Admin Fees: Pay as little as £4.54 for Standard or Enhanced volunteer checks.
- User-Friendly System: Volunteers can complete their application online anywhere, anytime.
- Automatic Error Checking: Reduce the likelihood of rejections or delays by catching mistakes before submitting.
- No Paper Hassle: Everything is digital—no more waiting for forms to arrive or risking them getting lost in the post.
Get Started with Fast Volunteer DBS Checks
Volunteers are an invaluable asset to countless organizations. Keep them and your community protected with the right level of DBS checking.
With our fast DBS checks for volunteers, you’ll reduce turnaround times, minimise errors, and ensure everyone can focus on what really matters: making a positive impact.