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How to support a volunteer with a learning disability with a DBS check

We asked several groups of volunteers with learning disabilities about support with a DBS check.

Here are their thoughts on how they would want to be supported:

In a bright room with a colorful mural on the wall, two men are sitting at a wooden table and talking. They are looking at each other over papers spread out on the table, and a cup of coffee is visible to the right.

Explain

Our volunteers thought you might need to explain what a DBS check is.

You could say something like:

‘A DBS check is a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

A DBS check looks at whether you have a criminal record.

You will need a DBS check for some volunteering roles.

A DBS check is a way to check that it is safe for you to do your volunteering role.’

Alternatively, you could read through an Easy Read document or watch a video together to help explain it.

We asked several groups of volunteers with learning disabilities about support with a DBS check, resulting in a co-produced Easy Read guide available on our Volunteering Hub.

Cefnogaeth with a DBS form

Some of our volunteers with learning disabilities said they would like support with filling in the form.

Some individuals need support to read and write whereas others can do this independently.

Individuals can sign documents themselves unless you are told otherwise.

Volunteers with learning disabilities thought it would be good to be supported throughout the process in some cases.

The volunteer may need reminding when to do different things and what documents they need and may need time to find these documents too.

Anxious feelings

Volunteers with learning disabilities reported feeling anxious about these checks.

Offer reassurance and explain why you need these checks as well as the type of information the checks look for.

Affordability

Some of our volunteers with learning disabilities said they may not be able to pay for a DBS.

The good news is most DBS checks for volunteering are free.

Explain the fees, if there are any, to the individual so they have time to think about whether to go ahead and how they will pay.

More best practice resources for supporting volunteers with learning disabilities

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How to support a volunteer with a learning disability with references

In a bright room with a colorful mural on the wall, two men are sitting at a wooden table and talking. They are looking at each other over papers spread out on the table, and a cup of coffee is visible to the right.

How to support a volunteer with a learning disability with a DBS check

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A man sitting at a table in a bright room, holding up a Welsh-language 'Easy Read' document about volunteering with the Innovate Trust logo.

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