As a Good Neighbour volunteer, you may have to be DBS checked depending on your activity.  Your designated Volunteer Coordinator (Helen or Caroline) will talk you through the role you are performing and perform a short risk assessment of the tasks you will be performing.

Why DBS?

DBS used to be called CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks.  DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) looks to share any criminal record a person may have and expands to share any groups of people that person may be barred for working/being involved with.

DBS has some significant differences from CRB in a move to prevent unnecessary checks and bureaucracy.

Under the DBS guidelines, there are some activities that put both parties in a vulnerable position and this means that a check is necessary to ensure that neither side comes to harm.

The beneficiaries are assessed for risks and challenges prior to matching and the volunteers are screened with references and (if necessary) a DBS.

Current legislation calls the tasks that qualify for a DBS check as 'regulated activity'.  The parts of regulated activity that most apply to Good Neighbour volunteers are:

• Regular contact (the regularity guidelines state that 4 times in 30 days is DBS check eligible).
• Providing a regular wellbeing / befriending connection where the client is likely to discuss matters of mental / physical health and their social situation.
• Having access to a person with care and support needs' (see the Safeguarding Training video) home and forming a relationship through a scheme or project.  This is different to meeting as connecting as friends.
• Providing information or access to local groups or services.

You may not do all of these things in one go, you may not do them to every person you are matched with but the thinking is that you have potential influence over the person you are matched with and this is what can increase your eligibility for a check. 

I already have a DBS

If you already have a DBS from a recognised organisation, you can use this for your role as a Good Neighbour.  Simply arrange for your Volunteer Coordinator to see the certificate and take a note of the number.  Please note: your Volunteer Co-ordinator will never copy or scan your certificate in alignment with Data Protection protocols.

Depending on the age of your DBS and if you are still working/volunteering with the organisation that carried out the check, you may be asked to do a check for Good Neighbours.  Your Volunteer Co-ordinator will guide you if you need one.

What do I need?

If you have never had a check before, the process can seem daunting.  But, like many things, it's easy when you know how.

The check takes some forms of ID, uses them to establish you are who you say you are then checks records to see if you have any criminal convictions.  There is a then a certificate produced with these printed on and sent to your address.

You can check the ID required and some guidance here.

WVA uses an online system that quickly checks the ID and allows for a smoother experience.

There are two types of check, a Basic and an Enhanced, your Volunteer Coordinator will advise you as to which one is most suitable for you at this time.

A check for a volunteer has no cost but there will be an admin fee.  The quickest way to pay for this is to pay the fee and claim it back through V-Help.  Madi from the Good Neighbours team can support through this.

What happens if there is a record on my certificate?

This certainly doesn't mean you can't volunteer as a Good Neighbour, the Volunteer Co-ordinator will talk to you about the record and if the offence or situation isn't related to the role you are wanting to volunteer in, there should be no barriers.

It is important through the process to be honest with the team.

Will I need it renewed?

DBS certificates do not legally 'expire' and Good Neighbours would only consider another check if you have had a lengthy absence from the scheme or if there was a need to.

What if I need help?

Madi from the Good Neighbour team will support you through the process should you need it, there is also a useful help function on the DBS website we use.

Great, take me to the website to start my check!

WVA uses APCS, as they offer a competitive electronic DBS service - https://www.criminalrecordchecks.co.uk/  

Please note: WVA is in no way affiliated to APCS.