Difficult times often bring out the best in people and there has been a surge in community volunteering initiatives during the pandemic. However, keeping people safe must always be a priority and churches should apply the same standard of safeguarding in this work.
Many roles carried out by volunteers do not need a DBS/PVG check but this should be reviewed regularly. You can:
- Take advice from DDC (our DBS checking provider) and review the information on their website relating to checks during the pandemic.
- Revisit your volunteer role descriptions and risk assess these for the potential for harm.
- Continue to apply for DBS checks on role that require this and ensure that volunteers do not start until a satisfactory clearance is received.
- Review your lone working policy and ensure protections are in place for volunteers.
- Consider using online safeguarding training for anyone undertaking a new role.
DBS checks
Safeguarding: DDC, our DBS/PVG checking service provider, has published a response relating to the services that DDC will be providing during the Covid-19 pandemic. DBS has also published new guidance on DBS checks which means ID documents can be checked by video link or scanned images. Read DDC’s update regarding relaxed document checking processes.