In the Methodist Church, the requirement for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks varies based on the role and the level of contact with children or vulnerable adults. The Church categories roles into four groups to determine the appropriate level of DBS check needed:
Group 1: Roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.
- DBS Check: Enhanced DBS check with barred list check for the relevant group (children or adults).
Group 2: Roles involving substantial contact with children or vulnerable adults but not regulated activity.
- DBS Check: Enhanced DBS check without barred list check.
Group 3: Roles involving little or no contact with children or vulnerable adults.
- DBS Check: Standard DBS check or none, depending on the role.
Group 4: Roles with no contact with children or vulnerable adults.
- DBS Check: None required.
Roles Requiring DBS Checks
The following roles typically require DBS checks:
- Ministers and Local Preachers: All ministers and local preachers, including probationers and students, must have an appropriate DBS check if they are capable of preaching or carrying out pastoral ministry.
- Trustees: Trustees on the governing body of charities that work with children and vulnerable adults are eligible for an enhanced DBS check if the charity provides regulated activities for those groups.
- Pastoral Visitors: Pastoral visitors who have substantial contact with children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced DBS check.
- Youth Workers: Youth workers who are not supervised by someone with an enhanced DBS check, including a barred list check, require an enhanced DBS check.
- Leaders and Helpers in Children’s and Youth Activities: Individuals leading or helping in children’s and youth activities that involve regulated activity require an enhanced DBS check with the relevant barred list check.
For other role descriptions and DBS requirement click here
DBS Check Levels
- Enhanced DBS Check: This level of check is required for roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. It includes information about any convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings held in England and Wales, as well as whether the individual is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
- Standard DBS Check: This level of check is required for roles that involve substantial contact with children or vulnerable adults but do not constitute regulated activity. It includes information about convictions and cautions.
- Basic DBS Check: This level of check is typically used for roles with little or no contact with children or vulnerable adults. It includes information about unspent convictions.
