Do You Need a DBS Check?

The simplest definition of regulated activity is work that a barred person must not do.

Regulated activity with children is made up of either:

  • what activity a person does as part of their job and how often they do it
  • where the work takes place and how often the person will work there

However, that can take many forms, potentially including work you are asking volunteers or part-time staff to do.

The best place to check if you need to consider DBS is the government’s own guidance – Regulated activity with children. This guidance includes sections on Specified activities with children and what you need to consider and Specified establishments with children .

You might also find the DBS eligibility guidance useful.

If you have specific queries you can contact the The DBS Regional Outreach service who can answer DBS-related queries and provide advice via phone/email. They also have a short video describing what they do (in the video they only mention two regions but they are now across all regions).

Click here to access the previous news item which includes a brief explainer of the changes (this should not be used as a substitute for the statutory guidance)