What Not for Profits Need to Know About Background Checks

Rachel Bedgood

9 years ago

Not for profit organisations that uses its surplus revenue for charitable or community work is very generous and extremely important in helping numerous people, even changing lives. However, finding charitable volunteers for this work can sometimes be a challenge and therefore, asking those who do offer their time and care to take a number of background screening checks may seem a stretch for some. However, appropriate checks are essential to ensure the health and safety of vulnerable adults and children that a not-for-profit may work with. So, here we’ll take a look at what not-for-profits need to know about background checks:

Not For Profit Organisations and DBS Checks

DBS checks, previously known as CRB checks, ensure unsuitable people do not get recruited by employers for roles that involve working with children or vulnerable adults. And most employers are aware of the legislation that requires them to have their staff screened (Learn more about this here). However, the rules regarding volunteers are less clear.

Many not-for-profits will have a mix of employees and volunteer staff, and in most cases, everyone is subject to the same screening protocols. The requirement for a DBS check or not is dictated by whether an individual will be taking part in regulated activity as part of their role (Learn more about ‘regulated activity’ here).

Anyone who is seen to be involved with regulated activity is required by law to have a DBS check. There is also legislation in place which dictates that screening requirements are influenced by the frequency and length of time a person volunteers for. If an individual volunteers overnight, once a week or more, or 4 or more times within any 30 day period, an Enhanced DBS check should be enforced. Any less than this, the decision is at the organisation’s discretion.

More In-Depth Background Screening

If you will be running a not-for-profit which helps disabled people then further checks will need to be made on potential volunteers and staff. Anyone who will be helping an individual eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet is required by law to not only have an Enhanced DBS check but for the barred list to be consulted too.

This added check is also required for applicants who will be having unsupervised contact with any children for any amount of time to ensure they have not been banned from working with under 18s.

Completely Free Screening for Volunteers!

A major benefit to not-for-profit organisations and those who volunteer is that DBS checks for volunteers are completely free! Simply tick the box in the application form to confirm volunteer status and the cost of all level DBS screening is void, as long as the individual matches the DBS’s definition of a volunteer and is not being paid or receiving any other kind of compensation for their efforts.

However, volunteers working abroad at any time are ineligible for a free DBS check. Although this activity may be voluntary, it is likely that travel or accommodation expenses may be subsidised and therefore, payment of some kind is received.

Any volunteers who are giving up their time for a work placement or part of training are also ineligible for free screening because this work is mandatory and will benefit the student in the long run.

Apply for Background Screening with CBS

Whether you’re looking for a select few checks or a complete bespoke screening system to submit multiple checks per year, CBS can help. If you’d like to learn more about background checks for not-for-profits give us a call on 01443 799900 today or email us at info@cbscreening.co.uk