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Secondary education

Host families fee

5 replies

misscph1973 · 19/05/2018 11:27

My daughter's school are hosting a choir from a third world country for a week next term. They are asking for host families for the children. Being a host includes providing a bedroom, food plus daily driving/picking up from venue. And they are asking for £51 per adult for a DBS check: " ... the charity can pay for this, but if you feel that you could cover this cost yourself, this would enable us to ensure the money raised goes directly to the Choir's school in xxx country".

Is it just me or is this a bit cheeky? On gov.uk a standard DBS check is £26. Not only do they ask host families to pay to help, they also charge double of the official cost. I realise they state that the charity can pay, but you in a way that would make you feel a but shitty asking them to pay. I would like to be a host. I am thinking of phoning up the charity to ask if they would accept if I provided the DBS check myself.

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Glumglowworm · 19/05/2018 12:26

If it’s a volunteer role (even if expenses are paid) there shouldn’t be a charge

Enhanced DBS (which is what I would expect you’d need if you’re having children stay in your home) cost £44

www.gov.uk/government/news/fee-display-on-dbs-certificates

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Glumglowworm · 19/05/2018 12:28

Sorry, I wasn’t clear, whether it’s standard or enhanced, for volunteers it’s free

I’ve just checked my very recent enhanced DBS for Girl Guiding and it confirms on the certificate that no fee was paid.

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LIZS · 19/05/2018 12:39

Volunteer dbs checks are free. School did them for hosting an exchange.

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misscph1973 · 19/05/2018 16:40

OMG, thank you so much for this info! That's so useful. I am so going to ask the school about this and I can't wait to see their no longer very smug faces

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misscph1973 · 19/05/2018 17:21

I think the school is giving misleading information about the DBS check cost. I think what they meant to say was that there is an admin fee charged by the charity for the DBS check thta the government provides for free:

"An administration fee may be charged by the organisation that submits the application to us."

it appears that a volunteer does not apply for a DBS check, it's the organisation that handles it, and they can choose to charge a fee.

Still going to have words with the school though! Because their communication is rubbish.