Volunteer DBS Checks with DBS.care
Free DBS Checks for Health and Social Care
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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
Health & Social Care Volunteers can get a free DBS Check
Volunteers in Health and Social Care are able to benefit from a free DBS Check where they will require either a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check to work in a Care or Health role. We cover all you need to know about volunteer DBS Checks below.
What is the Volunteer DBS Check?
What is a Care Volunteer DBS Check?
A care volunteer DBS check gives organisations a free way to screen unpaid Health and Social Care workers. The Disclosure and Barring Service provides this check at Standard or Enhanced levels only.
When Are These Checks Needed?
Standard and Enhanced DBS checks usually apply to roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. However, Free care DBS checks never apply to Basic DBS checks.
Why Not Basic Checks?
Anyone can request a Basic DBS check. Yet, this option always carries a fee, regardless of role or situation. Free care DBS checks cannot cover these costs.
How Do Free Care DBS Checks Help?
Because a Free care DBS check removes fees, more people feel encouraged to volunteer in Health and Social Care. This support strengthens communities and increases safe recruitment.
Why Are They Important?
Without Free DBS checks, fees could discourage volunteers and reduce organisational support. Financially stretched providers might also weaken safeguarding standards if each check carried a cost.
Final Thoughts
Free care DBS checks keep volunteering accessible. They also help organisations maintain responsible recruitment and safeguard vulnerable groups effectively.
How are Free DBS Checks different from Paid Positions?
Main Difference with a Volunteer Care DBS Check
The main difference with a volunteer care DBS check is cost. The DBS waives the base fee, so the check is free. Apart from this, the process remains the same as for paid roles.
How the Process Works
Volunteers still provide ID, complete the application, and receive their DBS certificate in the usual way. A Free care DBS check only differs from a paid role in cost and eligibility.
Who Provides the Check?
The Disclosure and Barring Service makes Standard and Enhanced checks free of charge for Health and Social Care volunteers. These levels match the safeguarding needs of sensitive roles.
Why the Exemption Exists
This exemption recognises the unpaid nature of volunteering. It encourages safe recruitment and removes financial barriers for organisations and volunteers.
Importance of Safeguarding
Roles that involve children or vulnerable adults demand strong safeguards. A Free care DBS check helps organisations protect people while keeping volunteering accessible and inclusive.
So it is completely Free DBS Check?
DBS Fee Waiver for Volunteers
The Disclosure and Barring Service removes its fee for a volunteer care DBS check. This waiver makes the core check free for eligible volunteers.
Why Admin Fees Apply
Most umbrella bodies, including DBS.care, charge an admin fee to cover processing. These vary considerably, so it is worth shopping around. At DBS.care, fees start from £3.00 per application.
How Much Can You Save?
The Free care DBS check reduces the cost of an Enhanced DBS check by £49.50, and a Standard DBS Check £21.50. This saving helps organisations and volunteers keep costs low.
Affordable and Accessible
While the DBS fee is waived, you may still pay a small admin fee. This keeps the process affordable and ensures checks run smoothly for everyone involved.
Does the Organisation involved have to be a Charity or CIC?
Who Can Request a Volunteer Care DBS Check?
An organisation does not need charity status to request a volunteer care DBS check. Many charities use these checks because they depend on unpaid help. However, non-charitable groups can also apply.
Examples of Eligible Organisations
Schools, sports clubs, social enterprises, community projects, and other groups can request checks. The Free care DBS check supports any organisation that involves volunteers in eligible unpaid roles.
What Makes a Role Eligible?
The key point is that the role must be genuinely voluntary. It must also meet the rules for a Free Standard or Free Enhanced DBS check.
Charity Status and Eligibility
Charity status does not affect eligibility for a volunteer care DBS check. Both charitable and non-charitable organisations can apply as long as the roles meet DBS requirements.
So as long as the role is unpaid, it will qualify as a Volunteer?
Who Qualifies for a Volunteer Care DBS Check?
Being unpaid does not automatically make someone eligible for a volunteer care DBS check. To qualify, several strict conditions must be met. A role is only eligible for a Free Standard or Free Enhanced DBS check if:
- The applicant does not benefit financially from the position for which the application is being submitted.
- The applicant does not receive any payment (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses).
- The applicant is not on a work placement.
- The applicant is not in a trainee position or undertaking a course of study that will lead to a full-time role or qualification.
- The applicant is not a paid foster carer or a member of a foster care household.
Key Point to Remember
A Free care DBS check only applies when the role is genuinely voluntary. If any of the conditions above do not apply, the applicant must use a paid DBS check instead.
Is there a definition of Volunteer from DBS?
DBS Definition of a Volunteer
For a Free care DBS check, the Disclosure and Barring Service defines 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.’
What This Means in Practice
This definition highlights that a volunteer must be unpaid and act for the benefit of others. A Free DBS check applies only when these conditions are fully met.
Examples of Genuine Volunteers
- Charity shop assistants helping local causes
- Community carers supporting elderly residents
- Youth sports coaches working with children
- School helpers assisting with classroom activities
- Volunteers in social care projects
Key Takeaway
The Free care DBS check ensures that genuine volunteers remain supported and organisations maintain safe recruitment standards.
Do Volunteer DBS Checks take more or less processing time than paid Checks?
How Long Does a Volunteer Care DBS Check Take?
A DBS check takes the same time to process whether it is for a volunteer or a paid role. The speed of a Standard or Enhanced check depends on several factors.
What Affects Processing Time?
Processing time varies based on the level of check requested, the applicant’s address history, and the workload of the DBS and local police forces.
Is There Any Difference for Volunteers?
The only difference with a Free care DBS check for volunteers is cost. The DBS waives its fee, but this does not affect how long the application takes.
Key Point to Remember
A volunteer care DBS check moves through the system in exactly the same way as any other DBS application. Volunteers receive the same level of accuracy and safeguarding assurance.
Will I know if I have received a Volunteer DBS Check?
How Certificates Show a Free DBS Check
All Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS certificates now show whether the DBS charged a fee. This helps employers and organisations confirm the type of application.
Why This Matters
The note makes it clear if the certificate relates to a paid role. It also confirms when it was issued as a Free care DBS check for a volunteer care DBS check position.
Added Transparency
This change increases transparency and reassures organisations. They can see immediately whether a DBS certificate came from a paid role or a free volunteer application.
Do I have to provide proof of this Volunteer status for a Free DBS Check?
Declarations for a Free DBS Check
When applying for a Free DBS check, the application requires several declarations. These confirm that both the role and the individual qualify for a volunteer care DBS check.
Why Declarations Are Important
Declarations ensure the check is suitable for an unpaid role. They also help organisations confirm that the position meets DBS volunteer eligibility rules.
When Evidence Is Required
The DBS only asks for evidence if there is doubt about eligibility. Extra clarification is requested only when circumstances make it necessary.
How do I start processing Free DBS Checks for Volunteers?
Getting Started
First, register your organisation and receive secure login details. From your account, you can add HR staff or safeguarding officers. You can also set permissions so they can manage Free DBS checks on your behalf.
Starting a Free DBS Check
To launch a volunteer care DBS check, enter the applicant’s name and email address. The system immediately sends them an invitation link to complete their part online.
The volunteer creates a password and fills in the form. AI validation highlights common errors, such as missing addresses or incorrect National Insurance numbers.
Verifying ID and Confirming Details
When the volunteer submits their details, the platform notifies you to verify ID. You check the documents, and the system confirms the combination is legally valid before moving forward.
Next, you select key information:
- Level of DBS Check (Standard or Enhanced)
- Role type
- Barred List inclusion if required
- Voluntary status
- Home-based role status
The system checks your selections and flags any concerns.
Declaring a Volunteer Check
At this point, you declare that the position is voluntary. The platform applies the correct rules so the application qualifies as a Free DBS check.
Submission and Tracking
Once complete, the platform securely submits the application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Both you and the volunteer receive a unique reference number with a link to track progress in real time.
When the check finishes:
- The volunteer receives their official DBS certificate by post
- Your organisation receives an electronic summary through the platform
Ongoing Updates
Throughout the process, DBS.care provides automated notifications. This keeps both applicants and organisations informed, ensuring a smooth and transparent volunteer care DBS check experience.
Important points at a glance…
- Volunteer DBS Checks are free at Standard and Enhanced levels, but Basic checks are never free — they always require payment.
- Eligibility is strict — the role must be genuinely unpaid, with no salary, course placement, or financial benefit beyond expenses.
- DBS defines a volunteer as someone unpaid who benefits a third party other than (or in addition to) a close relative.
- Processing time is identical to paid checks — the only difference is that the DBS fee (£21.50 for Standard, £49.50 for Enhanced) is waived.
- Certificates clearly show volunteer status, helping organisations prove compliance when recruiting unpaid staff or helpers.
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 up-to-date list of accepted documents, visit the official DBS identity checking guidelines.
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 are an organisation looking for free Enhanced DBS checks, the first step is to register with us here.
Once registered, you will receive client login details to our secure 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 then 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.