If you are working with Children or Vulnerable Adults, depending on the role being undertaken, your staff and volunteers may be required by law to have a DBS check. Volunteer Centre Dorset can help with DBS checks for volunteers and staff from any voluntary or charitable organisation in Dorset. Staff and volunteers complete their DBS check with Volunteer Centre Dorset via an online platform; we currently use uCheck to provide this service who charge an administration fee for each application.

Eligibility
We are responsible for ensuring that staff and volunteers apply for the correct level of DBS check for the role they are undertaking. There are criteria based on who they are working with, where they are working, the type of work, and how often. In some cases, it is a combination of these details that determines the level of DBS check required. You can find help to get started with DBS checks here, or to see which DBS check is likely to apply, please use the UK government’s DBS Eligibility Checker.

Safer Recruitment Practices
A DBS check is just one part of the decision-making process to recruit someone either as a volunteer or employee. A DBS check can help employers make safer recruitment decisions, but does not determine an individuals’ suitability for a role. DBS checks can play part of a wider framework of safe recruitment practice, but should not be an organisations’ only safeguarding measure. If you need some further guidance and tips, please get in touch.

Pre-Register Your Organisation
If your organisation is new to our DBS service, you must pre-register your organisation so we are able to process DBS checks for your staff or volunteers. There is a one-off cost of £30 to register your organisation. Registering ensures that the name of your group or organisation appears on DBS certificates.

Charges
To enable us to continue to provide this service, the below pricing structure applies.

Prices from 1st December 2025 are:

All prices include VAT and administration fees.

Documentation
It is a requirement of the DBS Service that the original documents must be viewed by the submitting organisation, or by Volunteer Centre Dorset. You will need to supply the following documents/information for each applicant, which can be either scanned or clear photographs:

Two documents of identification, such as a passport or driving licence

One document that verifies your proof of address, which can be a utility bill, council tax statement, bank or credit card statement or driving licence (provided it shows your current address and has not been used as the ID document)

Please contact Volunteer Centre on 01305 269214 or email dbs@volunteeringdorset.org.uk for more information or to arrange an appointment.