DBS checks for volunteers

Two things get conflated here, so treat them separately. The level a volunteer role needs is decided by its duties, exactly as for paid staff. The fee is where volunteering makes a difference — but only for some checks. This page keeps the two apart.

Volunteer status sets the fee, not the level

Whether a role needs a Basic, Standard, Enhanced or Enhanced-with-barred-list check depends on the duties — the same eligibility rules apply to paid and voluntary positions. [GOV.UK] Volunteering does not upgrade a role to a higher level, and it does not remove eligibility from one that qualifies. Work out the level from the role first (our which DBS check do I need? guide covers this), then apply the fee position below.

What is free — and what is not

For someone who meets the DBS definition of a volunteer, Standard, Enhanced and Enhanced-with-barred-list checks are free. A Basic check is not free: it costs £21.50 until 4 October 2026, and £20 from 5 October 2026 — the same for volunteers as for anyone else. [GOV.UK] [GOV.UK] The DBS Update Service is also free for volunteers. [GOV.UK] So “DBS checks are free for volunteers” is only true for the Standard/Enhanced levels, and only where the person genuinely meets the volunteer definition.

Volunteer duties → regulated activity? → likely check → fee

Is this person a “DBS volunteer”? (for the fee)

A person only counts as a volunteer for the free-check concession if all of these are true. If any is not, the fee applies — though the eligible level of check is unchanged. [GOV.UK]

• Unpaid, apart from travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses.
• Does not benefit financially from the position.
• Is not on a work placement.
• Is not a trainee, or on a course leading to a qualification or employment in that field.
• Is not a paid foster carer or kinship carer (or a member of their household).

The 1 September 2026 change and volunteers

Volunteers are the group most affected by the removal of the supervision exemption: a supervised, child-facing volunteer who meets the frequency or overnight conditions can now be in regulated activity and eligible for an Enhanced check with the Children’s Barred List, where before adequate supervision might have kept them out. Genuinely occasional helpers are not caught, because the frequency threshold still applies. [GOV.UK] The detail for schools is on the education page.

Worked examples

Where Complys fits

Complys does not carry out DBS checks. For organisations with volunteers it helps hold the record that each check was done, its level and date, and review reminders against each person — within the official handling rules (see DBS record keeping & compliance).