Disclosure checks and volunteers 

The Criminal Records Bureau will provide a disclosure check free of charge to any individual within an organisation who meets their definition of a volunteer. That definition is:

“a person who is engaged in any activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travelling and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives”.

However, the volunteer’s specific role within the organisation must be made clear within section X61 of the application form. It is not satisfactory to write ‘volunteer’ as a job description. Students on work placements are not classed as volunteers.

It should be noted that, although the Criminal Records Bureau does not charge for disclosure checks for volunteers, such checks are still subject to Essex Disclosure Service’s fee.

For more detailed information relating to CRB checks and volunteers contact Essex Disclosure Service.