The Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) are the independent Christian safeguarding charity who help train organisations and staff about protection.
They are launching a new set of DBS checks for roles in churches and Christian organisations which don't meet the requirements to have an enhanced DBS check but where the organisation feels it would still be right to have some sort of basic check.
This was decided by the government earlier this year and allows those who appoint people to search the National Police Computer for convictions which could be relevant to the role.
Justin Humphrys, CEO of CCPAS told Premier: "The idea behind basic checks is that they allow a lower level of criminal records check to be made for people involved who don't meet eligibility for the higher level checks...where there is a role that has some contact with children or vulnerable adults, there is concern about wanting to make sure the right sorts of people are in those roles yet they don't meet eligibility for a higher check - this is new the offer that's in place."
"It really allays some of the anxieties and concerns that a lot of organisations have when they come to us and say, 'look we really want to check this person, we think it's the right thing to do, it demonstrates safe practice however they don't meet the threshold'."
The basic disclosure check is the lowest level of check, above that is the enhanced check and then the enhanced plus check.
Barbara Ball, Head of Disclosures at CCPAS, said: "For some roles, workers who may not be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check may be willing to undergo a check, and their employer may like to be sure that there isn't any conviction history that could impact on the role.
"This could include roles such as worship leaders, Treasurers, Caretakers, Administrators, Welcome Team, Stewards, Preachers or those offering transport to/from events."
She added: "This does not replace the enhanced check for roles that are already eligible but does enable churches to provide a second level of checking for other roles that previously they were unable to do."
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