Corporate Volunteering

If your organisation relies on volunteers to work with children, there is an important safeguarding change coming into force on 1 September 2026 that you need to be aware of. The Department for Education has confirmed that the supervision exemption for volunteers working with children is being removed . This means some volunteers who have previously been able to work with children without a DBS check will now require an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List information . The change is particularly important for organisations that recruit volunteers to support their activities and services for children and young people, including schools, childcare and holiday club providers, youth organisations, sports clubs, community groups and other settings where volunteers work with children. What is changing? Previously, some volunteers could work with children without being classed as undertaking "regulated activity" if they were appropriately supervised by someone who was already in regulated activity. From 1 September 2026, that exemption is being removed . This means that activities such as teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children can now count as regulated activity when the volunteer carries them out: On more than 3 days in a 30-day period , or Overnight If you currently recruit volunteers that support with these activities, the change means that they will now need an enhanced DBS check prior to being able to support your organisation. Why does this matter to organisations recruiting volunteers? For many organisations, the change won't mean that every volunteer suddenly needs a new DBS check. Instead, it means you need to look carefully at what your volunteers actually do, how often they do it and whether they work with children overnight . For example, a volunteer who comes into a school every week to listen to children read, support classroom activities or help with interventions may previously have relied on the supervision exemption. From September, if they volunteer on more than three days in a 30-day period, they will generally be undertaking regulated activity and will need the appropriate DBS check. Another example could be a football coach who supports a team once a week, so four times a month. As above, it may have been avoidable to require them to have an enhanced DBS check as they were supervised by someone with an enhanced DBS check, however now they will need the appropriate check themselves to continue to volunteer their time and support. The same principle applies to volunteers in other children's settings. What about occasional volunteers? This is an important distinction. The change is not intended to mean that every parent, carer or occasional helper needs a Children's Barred List check . For example, a parent who helps at an occasional PTA event or accompanies children on a non-overnight day trip will generally not be caught by the new requirements. However, organisations should still consider their wider safeguarding responsibilities and may choose to request other types of DBS check where appropriate. Overnight volunteering is different One important change is around overnight activities. Volunteers who help on overnight school trips will be now be classed as undertaking regulated activity and will therefore need an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List information. This means organisations planning residential trips, camps or other overnight activities should make sure they identify this requirement well in advance. What if a volunteer helps more than one organisation? The rules also take account of volunteering across different settings. For the "more than 3 days in a 30-day period" test, each relevant day counts - even if the volunteering takes place within different settings. For example, someone who volunteers at four different schools on four separate days during the same 30-day period could meet the threshold for regulated activity. The Department for Education encourages organisations to work together where appropriate to avoid unnecessary duplication of DBS checks. Volunteers can also consider joining the DBS Update Service , which can make it easier for organisations to check whether an existing certificate remains current. What should organisations do now? With the change coming into force on 1 September, now is a good time to review your volunteer agreements and policies. 1. Review your volunteer roles Don't just look at job titles or role descriptions. Consider what your volunteers actually do: Do they teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children? How frequently do they volunteer? Will they volunteer more than three days in a 30-day period? Do they take part in overnight activities? Are they currently relying on the supervision exemption? 2. Audit existing DBS checks Make a record of what DBS checks your existing volunteers already have, if any. Identify volunteers whose role will be considered a regulated activity from September and determine whether they need an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List information . 3. Review your recruitment process Make sure your volunteer recruitment process clearly explains any DBS requirements. It is also worth checking your volunteer application forms, safeguarding procedures, volunteer policies and induction materials so that they reflect the updated Act. 4. Plan ahead for residential activities If your organisation runs residential trips, camps or other overnight activities involving children, it's worth reviewing your volunteer arrangements now. The overnight provision is particularly important because volunteers involved in these activities will be in regulated activity. 5. Supervised no longer means "no DBS required" From September, simply having a member of staff supervising a volunteer will no longer automatically mean that the volunteer is outside regulated activity. The focus is now on the nature, frequency and timing of the volunteer's role , rather than simply whether they are supervised. 6. Allow time for the changes to happen Start planning now, rather than waiting for the change on the 1st September. Enhanced checks can take up to 12 weeks and with an influx of applications this time may increase. If your services and support for children and young people rely on volunteers, take action now to limit the impact to your organisation and service users. What does this mean for volunteers? For volunteers, the change shouldn't be seen as a barrier to supporting your chosen organisation. In fact, the DBS check for volunteers undertaking regulated activity is free of charge . The purpose of the change is to strengthen safeguarding and putting children's safety and care at the forefront of volunteer activity. Organisations should therefore communicate the change positively and clearly. Volunteers may have questions about why a check is now required when one wasn't previously necessary, particularly if they have been volunteering for some time. A simple explanation is that the rules are changing, rather than there being a concern about the individual volunteer . Volunteers are hugely important to organisations working with children. The removal of the supervision exemption doesn't mean that organisations need to stop using volunteers, it simply means that organisations need to be clear about which volunteer roles constitute regulated activity and make sure the appropriate checks are in place . If your organisation relies on volunteers, don't wait until September for the changes to take place to review your processes. Start by identifying which volunteers work with children regularly or overnight, check what DBS arrangements are already in place and make sure your recruitment and safeguarding processes are ready for when the change happens and you can limit the impact the change will have on your services. This article is based on Department for Education guidance published on GOV.UK . The guidance applies to England. Organisations should refer to the latest official guidance when making decisions about individual roles.

Each volunteer that supports Herts Welcomes Refugees, does so with their own story to share. Some are inspired by personal experiences, others by their studies, their values, their family or simply a desire to make a positive difference in their local community. But with each of their volunteers is a common thread: that welcoming refugees isn't just about offering practical support, it's about building human connection, challenging misconceptions and reminding people that everyone deserves kindness, dignity and a sense of belonging. Two of Herts Welcomes Refugees newest volunteers, Soha and Steph , beautifully capture what motivates so many people to get involved. For Steph, volunteering grew naturally from her academic interest in migration and human rights. After studying Geography at Durham University and focusing her dissertation on the UK asylum system, she wanted to use that learning in a practical way to help tackle these issues. Steph explains, "I wanted to help in any way that I could to improve the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers and show that they are welcome and valued in our community." Inspired by the work of Herts Welcomes Refugees, Steph became part of the weekly hotel drop-in group, helping new arrivals navigate everything from understanding Home Office letters to accessing education opportunities and local activities. While the work is varied, Steph really enjoys seeing people begin to build friendships, grow in confidence and find moments of normality despite living and navigating difficult circumstances. "The positive impacts of HWR's work are so inspiring," she says. "Seeing residents enjoy activities together, forming friendships and feeling empowered is my favourite part of volunteering." For Soha, volunteering is also rooted in a long-standing belief that our communities are strengthened by people from different backgrounds and cultures. Having studied History, Politics, Economics and International Relations at university, she became increasingly interested in refugee issues through following organisations supporting people fleeing conflict. Having returned home after university gave Soha the opportunity to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees, using her skills to create graphics, communications and campaigns that raise awareness of the charity's work. One of the most powerful things volunteering has given Soha is the opportunity to meet people seeking asylum face-to-face. "When you interact with refugees and asylum seekers," she reflects, "you learn human stories which are so important in helping dispel harmful myths." Those conversations have reinforced something she already believed; that behind every headline is a person with a story, with hopes, talents, families and ambitions. Listening to individual experiences helps replace assumptions with understanding and reminds us how much we all have in common, deep down. This is something many Herts Welcomes Refugees volunteers talk about. Whether they're teaching English, helping children with homework, running activities, sorting donations or simply sharing a cup of tea and conversation - volunteering becomes a two-way exchange. While volunteers are the ones that offer practical support, they often find they receive just as much in return through new friendships, fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of the resilience and courage shown by the people they meet and the stories they share. Steph has a simple message for anyone wondering whether to get involved: "Just go for it!" To find out what roles Herts Welcomes Refugees has available:

Want to turn a passion into somethign that supports charitable organisations and local groups? Steph Miles did just that. After hearing about St Albans Lions Club through a friend, Steph turned her love and passion for books into a way to connect with and support others. St Albans Lions Club is a community group that supports local and national/international charities with their primary fundraising coming from running the second hand bookshop in Hemel Hempstead, although they do also run various other fundraising events throughout the year too. Hear some of Steph's experience of volunteering and her time at St Albans Lions Club; How did you get into volunteering? I had recently taken early retirement and was looking to do some voluntary work, but I am also a carer and so am a bit limited in how much time I could contribute. A good friend was already volunteering in the Lions bookshop and suggested it might be a good fit - she was right! What attracted you to the role? Working in the Lions bookshop appealed for lots of reasons: I love books and like the idea of sharing the enjoyment that reading brings with others; I like meeting people; I try to protect the environment as much as possible, and recycling books is a great way to do that. I was also aware of some of the local good causes that St Albans Lions Club funds with proceeds from the bookshop and was keen to support this. I now also volunteer for some of the other fundraising activities that St Albans Lions gets involved in, such as being on the door at the St Albans Beer festival and the fireworks display, which were both great fun. How does volunteering fit into your current life and schedule? The bookshop schedule works really well. Each quarter we provide details of when we will be unavailable (e.g. holidays) and then one of the Lions sets up a schedule for all the shifts. We are each typically scheduled for 2-3 half day shifts per month, so it's not too onerous. If nearer the time you are unable to cover a shift, then you just arrange a swap with one of the other volunteers. Occasionally I will also go into the shop to help out when there is a specific activity going on, e.g. to help change the window and central displays. What do you enjoy about it/what has it brought you? As I mentioned before, I am interested in books, and we do get some fabulous donations in the shop. I love working with the Lions and other volunteers - everyone is so friendly! It's a great environment, and I have met a lot of new friends. I love my interactions with the customers, from chatting to young customers about what they have chosen, to talking to customers about shared favourite authors, or just passing the time with customers who are browsing. I get a particular buzz when a customer is looking for a specific book and I manage to find it for them! What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering for The St Albans Lions Club? I would say, give it a go! St Albans Lions are such a friendly group, you are raising funds for some marvellous causes - and it's fun! Find out how you can get involved with The St Albans Lions Club today!