DBS checks for youth, faith and community roles
Paid youth or faith work can be eligible for your own Enhanced check. Volunteering is different: your organisation usually arranges it, often for free. Find your role to see which applies.
Free to register. See our DBS check costs.Find your role and check level
Pick your role for the full details. The level you get depends on what you do, who with and how often, so the eligibility checker confirms it before you pay.
How the barred lists work
The Children's Barred List is usually added when you teach, train, coach, care for or supervise under-18s once a week or more, on 4 or more days in any 30-day period, or overnight (between 2am and 6am). Less often than that, you'll usually get an Enhanced check without it.
The Adults' Barred List applies when you provide health care (as, or under the direction of, a regulated health professional), personal care, social work, help with cash, bills or shopping, help managing someone's affairs, or transport linked to that care. There's no minimum frequency: doing it once can count.
How to get your community & faith DBS check
Apply online, verify your ID digitally and track your check from start to finish.
Check eligibility
Answer a few questions about your work to confirm your check level.
Register and apply
Create your account and complete your application online.
Verify your identity
Confirm your ID digitally. We check and submit your application to the DBS.
Receive certificate
Posted to you. Track it, then join the Update Service.
Who will ask to see your check
Churches, charities and youth organisations
Often run their own checks for volunteers, but may accept a paid worker's certificate on the Update Service.
Parents and carers
Increasingly ask anyone running groups for their children to show a certificate.
Venues and schools
May want to see your certificate before you run sessions on site.
Community & Faith DBS check FAQs
I'm a freelance youth worker. Can I get my own check?
Yes. Paid, self-employed youth work with under-18s can be eligible for an Enhanced check with the Children's Barred List, depending on how often you do it.
I volunteer. Can I apply through you?
Usually not. Volunteer checks are applied for by the organisation you volunteer with, and there's no DBS fee for eligible volunteer roles. Our volunteers page explains how it works.
I'm paid by a church but self-employed. Who applies?
You can apply yourself through an Umbrella Body, or the church may apply on your behalf in line with its policies. Ask them what they prefer.
Which barred list do faith workers need?
It depends on who you work with. Regular work with under-18s usually adds the Children's Barred List. Pastoral care for adults can add the Adults' Barred List if it involves regulated activity.
More answers in our DBS check FAQs.
Useful guidance
Ready to apply?
Free to register. You only pay once you've confirmed your check level.
This guide applies to self-employed people in England and Wales. Scotland uses Disclosure Scotland and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. It's guidance only, not legal advice.