What background checks are needed for volunteer staff?
Are you a charity or not-for-profit organisation unsure about which background checks you need to complete on your volunteers?
We understand that while workplace background checks are essential, navigating them in the charity and non-profit sector can be less clear. The types of checks required often depend on the specific role and its responsibilities.
In this blog, we have outlined the purpose of background checks for these types of organisation, the key checks to consider during the hiring process, legal and ethical considerations, and how to streamline the process for timely and compliant hiring.
Purpose of background checks:
Safety:
The primary purpose of conducting background checks in this sector is to ensure the safety of both staff and the vulnerable individuals they serve. Pre-employment screening for volunteers helps identify any past behaviour that could pose a safeguarding risk to the role. This step is vital in creating a secure environment for those who depend on the organisation’s support.
Reputation and trust:
For charities and voluntary organisations working with vulnerable individuals, reputation and trust are crucial. Background checks help protect the organisation’s reputation and create trust within the communities they support. By ensuring that all volunteers and staff have been properly vetted, organisations can build confidence among residents and stakeholders.
Legal requirements:
There are certain background checks that are legally mandated. For example, in the UK, digital right-to-work checks are a legal requirement to confirm eligibility for employment. In the voluntary sector, DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) or criminal record checks are commonly used to ensure compliance with safeguarding regulations, protecting the organisation and those it serves from potential harm.
Who in the voluntary sector needs background checks?
Charities and non-profit organisations require different background checks based on the nature of their work and the roles they are hiring for. Whether it's a rugby or football coach, hospital worker, volunteer driver, or someone working with vulnerable children or adults, each position demands a tailored set of checks. For example, if you're hiring a volunteer driver, a DVLA check is essential to verify the validity of their driving licence. If you're recruiting someone to work with vulnerable individuals, such as children or adults, a criminal record (enhanced DBS) check is critical to identify any potential safeguarding concerns before making the hire.
Legal and Ethical considerations:
Data privacy:
When conducting background checks within this sector, it is important to remember legal and ethical considerations. With background checks involving the handling of sensitive and personal information, it is important to ensure you are complying with data protection laws, such as GDPR.
Informed consent:
Volunteer workers should be informed of the background checks that are being carried out and provide their consent before these checks are conducted.
Equal opportunities:
As is the same in commercial organisations, it is important to remember not to discriminate unfairly based on the results of the checks, and assess the information that is returned carefully, along with checking this against your background checking policy.
Background checks are vital when safeguarding in non-profit organisations, particularly when working with vulnerable individuals, and must be conducted with sensitivity to privacy and fairness. With VettingGateway’s software solution, you can be assured that fairness and compliance during the hiring process will always be maintained with the automated systems we have in place. Our platform also ensures that GDPR and data privacy policies are always upkept and meet any legal requirements. It is important to hold a clear background checking policy to outline who is checked, how checks are handled, and what actions are taken if issues arise. This will help create a safe and trustworthy environment for both volunteers and the communities they serve.
If you would like to find out how VettingGateway can support you with conducting background checks when hiring volunteer staff, then please book a demo below.
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