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The short answer
A charity can request an enhanced DBS check only if the law allows it for that role. Being a charity or working with the public is not enough. Start with what the volunteer will do, who they will help and how often they will do it.
Scope: DBS in England and Wales; sector-specific rules may also apply
Start with the role, not the job title
The law decides which roles qualify for standard and enhanced checks. Your charity’s safeguarding policy cannot give you permission to request a check that the law does not allow. [1]
Write down what the volunteer will actually do before selecting a check: teach a group, assist with personal care, drive passengers, supervise a session, or sell refreshments. Record who the volunteer will help, where they will work and how often. A title such as “helper” hides the information needed to decide.
Roles involving children
A children’s charity trustee may be eligible for an enhanced child-workforce check without a barred-list check. Separate duties involving regulated activity can change that assessment. Being on the same premises as children does not make every volunteer eligible. [2]
From 1 September 2026, certain work with children in England and Wales counts as regulated activity even when another adult supervises it. This includes teaching, training, instruction, care and supervision when the frequency or overnight conditions are met. Review any roles affected by this change. [3]
For a holiday club, assess the activity leader and the refreshments helper separately. Describe whether the helper has responsibility for children; do not assume that every adult at the event does the same work.
Roles involving adults
Age or disability alone does not make all contact with an adult regulated activity. The duties matter. DBS distinguishes “work with adults”, which can permit an enhanced check, from regulated activity, which can permit an adults’ barred-list check. Befriending that is only companionship does not itself qualify for an enhanced check. [4]
If the volunteer provides practical help as well as company, write down exactly what that help involves. “Adult workforce” is the DBS category for certain work with adults. Do not choose it simply because adults attend your event.
Being allowed to check is different from having to check
Being allowed to request an enhanced check does not always mean the law requires one. Rules for your type of organisation may make it compulsory, so check those too. Standard checks also have legal limits: you cannot automatically request one when the role does not qualify for an enhanced check. [5]
If the answer is unclear, send the role description to your registered body or DBS and retain the response. Ask which check the law allows and which DBS category applies: work with children, adults or other work.
Make a short decision record
- Role, organisation, duties and people supported.
- Frequency, overnight responsibilities and relevant setting.
- Check level and workforce, with a separate reason for each barred list requested.
- Official guidance used, date assessed and decision maker.
- When to reassess: changed duties, a changed event or updated guidance.
This is a suggested working record, not an official DBS form. It makes an annual event easier to review without repeating assumptions from a previous year.
Sources and further reading
Last accuracy check: 25 September 2026. We review this series monthly against official guidance. Follow the linked guidance for the full conditions and any later changes.
- DBS eligibility guidance↩
- DBS: working with children in the charity sector↩
- DBS: September 2026 change to regulated activity with children↩
- DBS: working with adults in the charity sector↩
- DBS: eligibility guidance for standard checks↩
Government guidance is attributed to the bodies linked above. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, where applicable. This guide provides general information; decisions depend on the specific role and setting.