Volunteer DBS checks

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Created by Sally Darley
Last updated 2 years ago
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DBS

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13 September 2021 at 10:10am
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I’ve always been required to renew my DBS every 3 years and so have any volunteers that I’ve worked with. I thought this was standard, however, since joining the NHS I’ve found out that our trust staff are not required to renew their DBS unless they move role and so have applied this principle to volunteers as well.

I understand that renewal is at the discretion of the employer but is this common practice? Do you require your volunteers to renew at all?

Many thanks

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Chevron
13 September 2021 at 10:44am
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Hi Sally

I would say its common practice to not renew DBS checks at the charities I am aware of and ours.

Its mainly a cost and resource issue for charities although its only a small proportion that volunteer for longer than 3 years so it won't impact too many.

Volunteers can sign themselves up for the updating service which is free and maintains their DBS check so they never need another. (it costs for staff) - but even though we mention it to our volunteers recruits almost no-one does sign up (and we can't on their behalf)

I speculate that if you are reviewing and supporting / checking in with your volunteers on a regular basis that it might be a better indication of their suitability for a role than another criminal record check.

I mention that because we do recruit volunteers who have a criminal record for most of our roles (we have a review process and in most cases we still take on the volunteer unless there are circumstances that worry us)

hope that helps

Mathew

17 September 2021 at 12:48pm
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Here at NottsHC we renew every three years or if the volunteer moves role and this new role requires a differnt level. This in line with the recomendations (7) with in the Lampard Report.

All NHS hospital trusts should undertake DBS checks (including, where applicable, enhanced DBS and barring list checks) on their staff and volunteers every three years.

20 September 2021 at 12:40pm
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Here at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals we do not currently renew volunteer DBS checks after the initial check. At my previous Trust we renewed them every 3 years so it clearly varies from Trust to Trust.

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