DBS Checks For Charities
Employment Tools helps charities and non-profit organisations request DBS Checks For Charities quickly, securely and at an affordable price, with no hidden setup fees and no DBS fee for eligible volunteer Standard and Enhanced checks.
Our online platform is designed to reduce admin, support safer recruitment and give your team a clear record of every staff and volunteer check requested.
With low costs, same-day processing before 4pm and real human support, we are proud to help charities continue the fantastic work they do.
Easier DBS checks for charities
Manage DBS checks for staff, volunteers and eligible roles through one simple online system, with clear pricing and support when you need it.
Online DBS checks for the charity sector
Helping charities make safer recruitment decisions with less admin
Charities often need to complete DBS checks for a mix of paid staff, volunteers, trustees and people working with children or vulnerable adults. Employment Tools gives you one online system to manage those checks clearly, quickly and professionally.
For charity staff
Request the correct level of DBS check for paid employees where the role is eligible, including Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS checks.
For volunteers
Eligible volunteers do not pay the DBS fee for Standard or Enhanced DBS checks, helping charities keep safeguarding costs lower.
For trustees
Some trustee roles may be eligible for higher level checks depending on the charity’s work, responsibilities and regulated activity.
Which DBS check should charities request?
The correct level of DBS check depends on the role, the responsibilities involved and whether the person will be working with children or vulnerable adults.
Some charity staff and volunteers may only need a Basic DBS check. Others may qualify for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check depending on the work they carry out and the level of contact they have with vulnerable groups.
For example, roles involving care, teaching, supervision or regular work with children or vulnerable adults are more likely to require an Enhanced DBS check.
General guidance: DBS checks for charities
A trusted DBS partner for charities and non-profit organisations
Employment Tools works closely with charities that need DBS checks to be simple, reliable and cost-effective. We understand that charity teams are often balancing safeguarding responsibilities, volunteer onboarding, limited time and tight budgets.
Our role is to make the DBS process easier to manage, with clear guidance, fast online applications, Digital ID checks and real support from people who understand charity recruitment.
We are proud to support charities in the fantastic work they do, helping them complete thousands of DBS checks every week for staff, volunteers and eligible roles.
Why charities choose us
We regularly support charities and non-profit organisations with DBS checks for both paid staff and volunteers.
Our team can help charities understand when a Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS check may be suitable.
Eligible volunteer Standard and Enhanced DBS checks do not include a DBS fee, helping charities keep costs lower.
Online tracking, Digital ID checks and applicant reminders help your team spend less time chasing applications.
Proudly supporting thousands of charities across the UK
Employment Tools helps charities and non-profit organisations manage DBS checks for staff and volunteers through a faster, simpler and more affordable online platform designed to reduce admin and support safer recruitment.
DBS pricing For Charities & Non-Profit Organisations
Employment Tools provides transparent pricing for charity DBS checks, with no setup fees and free admin credit available to help reduce your effective admin costs even further.
Eligible volunteer Standard and Enhanced DBS checks do not include a DBS fee. Only the admin fee applies when the role qualifies for volunteer status.
| Disclosure Type | Standard Price |
With 10% Free Admin Credit |
With 20% Free Admin Credit |
With 30% Free Admin Credit |
With 40% Free Admin Credit |
With 50% Free Admin Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic DBS Check (DBS Fee: £21.50) | £26.95 | £26.45 | £26.04 | £25.69 | £25.39 | £25.13 |
| Standard DBS Check (DBS Fee: £21.50) | £30.25 | £29.45 | £28.79 | £28.23 | £27.75 | £27.33 |
| Standard DBS Check (Volunteer) (DBS Fee: £0.00) | £8.75 | £7.95 | £7.29 | £6.73 | £6.25 | £5.83 |
| Enhanced DBS Check (DBS Fee: £49.50) | £60.45 | £59.45 | £58.63 | £57.92 | £57.32 | £56.80 |
| Enhanced DBS Check (Volunteer) (DBS Fee: £0.00) | £10.95 | £9.95 | £9.13 | £8.42 | £7.82 | £7.30 |
| Adult First Check (DBS Fee: £6.00) | £11.45 | £10.95 | £10.54 | £10.19 | £9.89 | £9.63 |
Request DBS Checks For Volunteers Today
Reduce admin, onboard volunteers faster and manage volunteer DBS checks through one simple online platform.
No registration fee, hidden costs, or minimum spend. Simply use us when you need us.
What makes Employment Tools different?
Employment Tools has been designed to reduce admin and simplify DBS processing for charities that need to recruit, onboard and support staff and volunteers.
Simple platform
Request, track and manage charity DBS checks through one easy-to-use online system.
Low admin fees
Clear charity-friendly pricing, no setup fees and free admin credit available.
Same-day processing
DBS applications submitted before 4pm Monday to Friday are processed the same day.
Digital ID checks
Reduce document handling and help applicants complete applications more quickly.
DBS Checks for Charities: Who may need a DBS check?
The level of DBS check required depends on the role, responsibilities and whether the person works with children or vulnerable adults. Below are some examples of charity roles that may require a DBS check depending on the work being carried out and DBS eligibility rules.
Volunteers
Many charities request DBS checks for volunteers, particularly where they support children, vulnerable adults or community outreach services.
Eligible volunteer Standard and Enhanced DBS checks do not include a DBS fee.
Youth workers
Youth workers and mentors working directly with children or young people may require an Enhanced DBS check depending on the frequency and nature of the work.
Some roles may also qualify for children’s barred list checks.
Support workers
Charities providing care, support or assistance to vulnerable adults may require support workers to complete Enhanced DBS checks.
Adult barred list checks may also apply in some situations.
Trustees
Some trustees may require DBS checks depending on the type of charity, the people supported and the trustee’s involvement in regulated activity.
This is particularly common in charities supporting children or vulnerable adults.
Drivers and transport staff
Charity drivers transporting children, elderly individuals or vulnerable adults may require DBS checks depending on the role and level of supervision involved.
Eligibility depends on the specific duties being carried out.
Fundraisers and event staff
Some fundraising or event roles may only require a Basic DBS check, particularly where there is no regulated activity involved.
However, this depends on the responsibilities and who the role involves working with.
Mentors and befrienders
Mentoring and befriending roles often involve close contact with vulnerable individuals and may require Enhanced DBS checks.
Eligibility depends on the level of contact and support being provided.
Charity staff
Paid charity employees may require different levels of DBS checks depending on their role and whether they work with vulnerable groups.
Some office-based positions may only need a Basic DBS check.
Community outreach workers
Outreach staff supporting vulnerable people within the community may require Enhanced DBS checks depending on the services provided.
This can include homelessness support, wellbeing services and safeguarding-related roles.
Not sure which DBS check your charity needs?
Our team can help you understand the different levels of DBS checks and direct you towards the relevant DBS eligibility guidance for your organisation.
More than just DBS checks
Employment Tools also helps charities and non-profit organisations manage other important recruitment and compliance checks through the same online platform, helping reduce admin and keep onboarding organised.
Digital ID Checks
Help applicants verify their identity online with Digital ID checks. This can reduce paperwork, speed up onboarding and minimise the need to manually handle physical identity documents.
Digital ID checks are particularly useful for charities managing remote applicants, volunteers or large onboarding campaigns.
View Digital ID ChecksReference Checks
Request and manage reference checks through the same platform used for your DBS checks, helping your charity keep recruitment records organised and easy to track.
Online reference checks can help reduce manual chasing and provide a clearer recruitment process for charity staff and volunteers.
View Reference ChecksDBS Checks For Charities: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions charities and non-profit organisations ask when arranging DBS checks for staff, volunteers and trustees.
Are DBS checks free for charities?
DBS checks are not automatically free for charities. Paid charity staff usually require the normal DBS fee and admin fee where a DBS check is needed. However, eligible volunteers can receive Standard and Enhanced DBS checks without paying the DBS fee, meaning only the admin fee applies.
Are DBS checks free for charity volunteers?
Eligible charity volunteers do not pay the DBS fee for Standard or Enhanced DBS checks. The charity will still pay the admin fee for processing the application. Basic DBS checks do not qualify for the volunteer DBS fee waiver.
Which DBS check does a charity worker need?
The correct level of DBS check depends on the role and duties involved. Some charity workers may only need a Basic DBS check, while eligible roles involving children or vulnerable adults may require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check.
Can charities request Enhanced DBS checks?
Yes, charities can request Enhanced DBS checks where the role is eligible. Enhanced DBS checks are commonly used for eligible roles involving work with children or vulnerable adults.
Can charities request barred list checks?
Charities can request children’s or adults’ barred list checks only when the role is eligible. Barred list checks are not available for every charity role and depend on whether the work meets the relevant eligibility criteria.
Do charity trustees need DBS checks?
Some charity trustees may need a DBS check depending on the type of charity, their responsibilities and whether the charity works with children or vulnerable adults. The level of check depends on the trustee’s role and eligibility.
How much do charity DBS checks cost?
The cost depends on the level of DBS check requested and whether the applicant is a paid worker or eligible volunteer. Employment Tools provides clear DBS pricing, low admin fees, no setup fees and free admin credit to help reduce the effective admin cost.
Can small charities use Employment Tools?
Yes. Employment Tools is suitable for small charities, large charities and non-profit organisations. There are no setup fees, and charities can use the system to request DBS checks when they need them.
What documents are needed for a charity DBS check?
Applicants need to provide identity documents as part of the DBS application process. Employment Tools also offers Digital ID checks, helping applicants verify their identity online and reducing document handling for your charity.
How do charities check DBS eligibility?
DBS eligibility depends on the role, duties and level of contact with children or vulnerable adults. Employment Tools can help direct charities towards the relevant DBS eligibility guidance so they can request the correct level of check.
Speak to a system expert about DBS checks for your charity
Book a free of charge demo with one of our system experts to see how Employment Tools helps charities and non-profit organisations manage DBS checks with less admin, faster onboarding and clearer tracking.
We can show you how the platform works, explain the different DBS check levels and answer any questions your organisation may have about volunteers, staff or eligibility.
