Wattisfield Village Hall
We are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone who uses our hall, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults. As part of our safeguarding approach, we carry out appropriate checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) where necessary.
When DBS Checks Are Required
DBS checks are required for any individual, staff or volunteer, who engages in regulated activity involving:
- Regular, unsupervised contact with children
- Activities that involve caring for, supervising, or supporting vulnerable adults
- Managing or overseeing such roles
We assess each role on a case-by-case basis, following government guidance to decide whether a check is legally necessary.
Types and Levels of DBS Checks
The level of DBS check depends on the nature of the role:
- Basic Check – Shows unspent convictions. For roles without direct contact but where general trust is important.
- Standard Check – Includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings.
- Enhanced Check – Includes all of the above plus any relevant information held by local police.
- Enhanced Check with Barred List – Required for roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. Checks the individual’s name against the DBS Barred Lists.
We only request the level of check that is appropriate for the role being carried out.
How DBS Information Is Handled
We respect the confidentiality of all individuals and handle DBS information in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice, UK GDPR, and the Data Protection Act 2018.
- Disclosure information is stored securely and accessed only by authorised personnel.
- It is never retained longer than necessary.
- Information from DBS checks is never shared unless required by law or with the individual’s consent.
We do not make recruitment or volunteering decisions based solely on DBS results; a risk assessment is always carried out first.
Frequency and Review Process
- DBS checks are renewed every 3 years for roles that require them, or sooner if circumstances change.
- If someone takes on a new role with different responsibilities, we will review whether a new DBS check is needed.
- This policy is reviewed annually or when legislation changes.
If you have any questions about our DBS process or whether a check applies to your role, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.