Organisations that are working with vulnerable groups may need to carry out DBS checks (formerly known as CRB checks). A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is part of the wider safeguarding process and helps organisations determine whether a person is a suitable candidate for a particular role by providing information about their criminal history.
Should my organisation do DBS checks?
You can only check someone’s criminal record if they’re applying for certain roles.
Use this tool to find out if you can check someone's criminal record.
Obtaining DBS checks for volunteers
If your organisation is relatively small or does not require many DBS checks each year, you probably can’t avoid using an umbrella body and paying an administration charge (although there is no DBS fee for volunteers).
To find an umbrella body in your area, you can use this searchable list. To cover their administration costs, umbrella bodies usually charge organisations an administration fee for carrying out DBS checks. These can vary, so please check before you sign up.
- NCVO recommend Charity Backroom who have a price list on their website.
- UCheck, now charge £49.95 +VAT to set up an account and thereafter £10.40 admin fee per volunteer.
- If your organisation conducts more than 100 checks a year, you can register to be an ‘umbrella body’.