Volunteer DBS Checks with DBS.care

Free DBS Checks

Q: How much am I saving with a Free DBS Check?

For Enhanced DBS Checks, it is a saving of £49.50For Standard DBS Checks, it is a saving of £21.50

Free Volunteer DBS Check Within 48 Hours

Your health & social care organisation can register quickly with our platform for free and start benefiting from our superior Volunteer Free DBS Check services

Fast Free DBS

The fastest Volunteer DBS Checks available from anywhere. Super modern & intuitive Platform makes processing without delays a breeze

Cost Effective

Our Platform makes the Volunteer DBS Check process easy, which minimises our costs. This means we are up to 70% cheaper than other providers

Established

With over 18 years experience in providing Free DBS Checks, we are trusted and proven. Thousands of customers appreciate our longevity

All About Volunteer DBS Checks

What is the Volunteer DBS Check?

A volunteer DBS check is a criminal record check provided free of charge by the Disclosure and Barring Service for individuals who are working in unpaid volunteer roles where such checks are required. This Free DBS service is available only for Standard and Enhanced DBS checks, which are usually necessary for roles involving regulated activities with children or vulnerable adults.

It is important to note that Free DBS checks do not apply to Basic DBS checks. Basic checks can be requested by anyone, but they always come with a fee, regardless of the role or circumstance.

The availability of Free DBS checks for volunteers is essential in encouraging people to volunteer without financial barriers. Without this option, the cost of DBS checks might prevent willing individuals from offering their time and skills. Additionally, organisations that are sensitive to financial constraints might be less able to maintain safe practices if the free check option were not available. Therefore, providing Free DBS checks helps to keep volunteering accessible and supports organisations in upholding safety standards.

How are Free DBS Checks different from Paid Positions?

The main difference with a volunteer DBS check is that the standard DBS fee is waived, meaning the check is provided free of charge. Apart from this, the process remains the same as for paid positions. This includes the requirements for identification, the application procedure, and the way the DBS certificate is issued.

Volunteer DBS checks differ from those for paid roles only in terms of cost and eligibility. For volunteers, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks are available without charge through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This financial exemption recognises the unpaid nature of volunteer work and aims to encourage safer volunteering practices, particularly in sensitive areas where safeguarding is essential.

So it is completely Free DBS Check?

While the Disclosure and Barring Service waives their fee for volunteer DBS checks, most umbrella companies, including ours, charge an administrative fee to cover processing costs. For example, DBS.care starts fees at £4.00 per application.

The Free DBS check provided by the DBS reduces the overall cost of an Enhanced DBS check by £49.50. This means that although the DBS fee is waived, there may still be a small charge from third-party providers to cover their administration services.

Does the Organisation involved have to be a Charity or CIC?

An organisation does not need to be a charity to request a volunteer DBS check. While many charities make use of volunteer DBS checks because they often rely heavily on unpaid volunteers, non-charitable organisations can also apply for these checks. This includes community groups, schools, sports clubs, social enterprises, and other similar organisations that engage volunteers in eligible unpaid roles.

The important consideration is that the role must be genuinely voluntary and meet the criteria for a Free Standard or Free Enhanced DBS check. The organisation’s charity status is not a determining factor in eligibility for a volunteer DBS check.

So as long as the role is unpaid, it will qualify as a Volunteer?

It is not solely the fact that an individual is unpaid that determines eligibility for a volunteer DBS check. There are several specific conditions that must all be met in order to qualify. The following criteria must all be true for a volunteer role to be eligible for a free Standard or Enhanced DBS check:

the Applicant must NOT benefit financially from the position for which the application is being submitted
the Applicant must NOT receive any payment (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses)
the Applicant must NOT be on a work placement
the Applicant must NOT be in a trainee position or undertaking a course of study that will lead to a full-time role/qualification
the Applicant must NOT be a paid foster carer or a member of a foster care household

Is there a definition of Volunteer from DBS?

Yes, for a Free DBS Check, the DBS define a Volunteer as:

‘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.’

Do Volunteer DBS Checks take more or less processing time than paid Checks?

Free DBS checks for volunteers must be requested by the organisation or employer where the volunteer will be carrying out their role. Individuals cannot apply for these free checks on their own. This ensures that the check is linked directly to a genuine volunteer position within an organisation that requires the screening.

Will I know if I have received a Volunteer DBS Check?

All Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS certificates now indicate whether a fee was charged by the DBS. This means that applicants can easily see if their certificate was issued for a paid role or if it was processed as a free DBS check for a volunteer position.

Do I have to provide proof of this Volunteer status for a Free DBS Check?

Usually, you will need to make several declarations to confirm that the role and individual meet the requirements for a free DBS check as a volunteer. These declarations help ensure that the DBS check is appropriate for the unpaid role.

Evidence will only be requested if there is any doubt or if circumstances arise that require further clarification.

How do I start processing Free DBS Checks for Volunteers?

DBS.care is a smart, AI-powered online platform that streamlines the process of managing DBS checks for organisations, including free checks for volunteers. The system offers step-by-step guidance with automated support to make the process straightforward.

To get started, register your organisation and receive a secure login. You can then add team members such as HR or safeguarding officers and assign permissions to manage Free DBS checks on behalf of your organisation.

When initiating a new Free DBS check, simply enter the volunteer’s name and email address. The platform will send them an invitation to complete their application online.

As the volunteer sets up their password and fills out the form, built-in AI validation helps catch common mistakes like incorrect National Insurance numbers or missing address details.

Once the volunteer finishes their section, you’ll be alerted to carry out the identity verification. You confirm the documents presented, and the system ensures the combination meets legal requirements, notifying you when all is correct.

You will then select the type of DBS check required—Standard or Enhanced—specify the role, indicate if Barred List checks are necessary, confirm the role is voluntary, and whether it is based at home. The AI flags any potential eligibility issues to help reduce errors.

At this point, you’ll declare whether the check is for a volunteer role and complete the necessary declarations to convert it into a Free DBS check.

After confirmation, the application is securely sent to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Both you and the volunteer receive notifications containing a unique reference number and a link to track progress in real time.

Once the check is complete, the volunteer receives their official certificate by post, and your organisation can view an electronic summary through the platform. Throughout the entire process, the AI system keeps everyone updated with timely information, ensuring transparency from beginning to end.

Need to ask a question before registering…?

If you are already a customer, please login and use the regular support channels on the platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most popular questions we get about Free DBS Checks and Volunteer DBS Checks

How much am I saving with a Free DBS Check?

For Enhanced DBS Checks, it is a saving of £49.50

For Standard DBS Checks, it is a saving of £21.50

Can I get a Free Basic DBS Check?

No, the Volunteer DBS Checks are only available for Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks.

Which identification documents are required for a Volunteer DBS Check?

All applicants undergoing a DBS check—whether a Free DBS Check for volunteers or a paid DBS Check—must present identification documents to an authorised ID checker within the organisation requesting the check. The specific documents required may vary depending on what the applicant can provide, but all must be current and valid. These identification requirements are set by the Disclosure and Barring Service to ensure that the applicant’s identity is verified accurately.

For the most current guidelines on accepted documents, visit here

Can I get Adults' Barred List or Children's Barred List with a Volunteer DBS Check?

As long as the role qualifies, Barred List checks included in Free DBS Checks are processed in exactly the same way as those for paid DBS checks.

How do I get a Free DBS Checks for my Volunteers?

If you an organisation looking for Free Enhanced DBS Checks, then you first need to register with us by clicking here

Once registered, you will receive a client login to our portal within one working day. From there, you can start adding the individuals who require DBS checks.

Each applicant will receive their own login to access the portal and complete their section of the DBS application. After they finish, you will be notified. You can then log into the client portal to carry out the identity checks and select the appropriate type of DBS check. We will submit the application electronically to the Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

When processing is complete, the applicant will receive their official certificate by post. Within one day of the certificate being issued, your organisation will be able to view an electronic summary of the Enhanced DBS certificate.

The entire process is clearly outlined at every stage, and the tracking system is user-friendly and easy to follow.

How do I track a Volunteer DBS Check application?

All tracking information for a Volunteer DBS application is easily accessible to both employers and applicants through our platform.

You can monitor the progress of the application at every stage. Once the application reaches the Disclosure and Barring Service, a dedicated button allows you to access their official tracking system for real-time updates.