Volunteer Roles & Volunteering Safely

What do I do if I want to become a volunteer with children, young people, or vulnerable adults? 

1. Review the Volunteer Policy for further information.
2. Discuss with the group leader for the activity, review the appropriate role description for further information. (See Volunteer role description section below). If you then decide to go ahead and apply for the volunteer role then please discuss further with the group leader for the activity.
3. You will need to read and review the recruitment process for volunteers policy
4. You will need to complete the volunteer application form
5. You will need to apply for a disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS) before commencing in the volunteer role. Nb there is no fee for DBS checks for a volunteer role. (See the section below on how to apply for a DBS check.)
6. You will be encouraged to register with the DBS update service (further information below).
7. You will need to agree to undertake the required safeguarding training for your role. (see the page re safeguarding training)
8. You will also need to agree to sign up to the “Volunteer Code of Conduct”

How to apply for a DBS Certificate

1. Please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer; Angela Disney via angelajdisney@outlook.com or  by telephone 0798 550 5870 (between 08.00- 20.00 hours only.) to request help with your DBS application. You will need to advise her of what role you are applying for and whether or not it is a leadership role i.e. running a group. 
2. You will then receive an email from Angela advising that you will shortly receive an email from thirty-one eight inviting you to complete an online application. Attached to the email will be a confidential declaration and privacy form. You will be required to complete this and let Angela have your forms when you meet with your ID documents.
3. Please see ID checking guidelines for Standard/Enhanced DBS check applications from 22 April 2025 – GOV.UK  for further information on what documents are acceptable as part of the DBS checking process.  Angela will also attach this information to your email .
4. When you complete the online application form, you will need to have available 5 years’ worth of address history and documents such as driving licence, passport (in date), utility/tax/benefit statement within 3 months of issue – not printed off from online.
5. Once you have completed your online application via thirty-one-eight , please let Angela know, preferably by email. She will then, contact you to arrange a suitably convenient time to meet face to face with your document, this will allow Angela to verify your identity and complete your application. 
6. The next contact you will receive will be from thirty-one-eight  with details of your DBS application success. 
7. You must not work in a volunteer  or paid role within the parish until you have received a clear DBS .
8. On receipt of your DBS, you may choose to sign up to the update service, this makes future applications much quicker and easier. You can join the Update Service when you receive your DBS certificate, by using your certificate number. If you choose to do this, you must join the Update Service within 30 days of the ‘date of issue’ displayed on your certificate.
9. You need to renew your DBS certificate every 3 years. 
10. If you do not sign up to the update service , you will need to repeat the above process in 3 years’ time. 

Renewal of DBS Certificate

When you require to renew your DBS Certificate then either:

If signed up to the update service

• Read and Complete the privacy notice/Confidential Declaration Form
• Complete the update verification form using the detail on your current DBS certificate. 
• You will then need to arrange to meet Angela Disney (PSO) and take along your completed confidential declaration form, current DBS certificate and your completed update verification form. 
• Angela will then check the details match between your current certificate and the verification form and forward the verification form, (using secure email), to the diocese to facilitate a database search. 
• Your completed confidential declaration form will be safely stored as per the diocese records retention policy. 

If not signed up to the update service

• Please follow the process outlined above “How to apply for DBS certificate” above

Volunteer Roles