What is the DBS definition of a volunteer?
September 5th, 2014 by Jonathan Bazely
The DBS do not charge an application fee for roles submitted as volunteers. As such they have a very strict definition of a volunteer:
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
To be classed as a volunteer the applicant must not:
- Benefit financially from the job role being applied for
- Receive any payment for the role (with the exception of travel and other approved ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses).
- Be on a work placement.
- Be in a trainee position that will lead to a full time role.
- Be on a course which requires them to undertake the role, to gain a qualification
- Be a paid foster carer, or a member of a foster carer household.
If the applicant meets any of the criteria above then they would be classed by the DBS as a paid role requiring the full fee to be paid.
