As experts on background screening and the DBS checking service, people frequently come to us with their criminal background check queries such as “Do I need a DBS check if parents are present?”.

If you’re wondering this too, read on.
 

When Does a Volunteer Need a DBS Check?

 
Will you be volunteering at a one-off event at a school, nursery or youth club soon? Then you may be confused about whether you need to have a number of checks before you turn up on the day. Well, lucky for you, unless you will be involved in regulated activity with the children, there is no legal requirement for you to have a DBS check.

One-off events, whether this be a fete, disco or school trip, can employ volunteers without any prerequisites, however, be careful about what activity you partake in (even if the parents are there). For example, you should not take a child to the toilet or be in the changing rooms at any time.

However, if you volunteer on a regular basis, you may be subject to a DBS check. And if you will be providing supervision at an overnight event, this counts as regulated activity, so you will require a check even if parents will be present.
 

What is Regulated Activity?

 
So, an employee or volunteer is required to have a DBS check if they will be partaking in regulated activity even if a parent or guardian is present at all times. But how do you determine what is counted as ‘regulated activity’? And what behaviour comes under this bracket? The government defines this using the following examples:

• Teaching, training or instruction of children, carried out by the same person frequently. 

• Care or supervision of children if carried out by the same person frequently, or if the following is only done once: 

– Relevant personal care
– Physical help with eating or drinking due to illness or disability
– Physical help with toileting, washing, bathing or dressing due to illness, disability or age

• Day-to-day management of people doing the above jobs. 

• All forms of health care relating to physical or mental health. 

• Advice or guidance provided wholly or mainly for children relating to their physical, emotional or educational well-being if carried out by the same person frequently. 

• Moderating a public electronic interactive communication service likely to be used wholly or mainly by children, carried out by the same person frequently. 

• Driving a vehicle being used only for conveying children and carers or supervisors. 

• Early years or later years child-minding.
 

Have More Questions About the DBS Checking Service or Want to Apply?

 
Here at CBS, criminal background checks are our bread and butter. We submit thousands of disclosure applications every year and are now one of the largest providers of this kind of service in the UK.

So, register for an online DBS check or give us a call on 01443 799900 for more info.