Advice . Should toddler group volunteer be DBS checked

[Storm85]

Hi looking for some advice as unsure what to do if anything.
Ive attended a toddler group for a while and there’s a couple of helpers who help set up etc just wondering what to do regarding a male volunteer approx mid/late 40s who does this with no child there . He stays the whole time. Was told his child used to go to the group but now is like 8/9 years old but he’s stayed ever since. He just acts abit odd and I asked someone privately who told me anyone can volunteer ( usually a parent ) and no DBS check etc
I'm not really sure what I’m asking other than should this man have some sort of check etc I feel abit uncomfortable and unsure who to report my concerns to as a lot seem to think he is fantastic , he does seem nice enough just sometimes acts and says things abit strange, he is friends with the leader of the toddler group so can’t really talk to her. It is held in a church if that helps
Thank you

Everyone helping should by dbs checked. What do you mean by odd?

Depends if volunteer is ever alone with the children I think. If children are not in his care and he's helping but not responsible I don't think a DBs is essential

Yes . I think so . If you volunteer for the cubs / scouts / to read in a primary school you need on so it makes sense .

No, DBS not required as parents are there

Technically it’s only if he could ever be left alone with a child that a DBS is needed. If there are always a minimum of 2 adults with the children, a DBS wouldn’t be legally required. It would, however, be recommended that they do.

Toddler group so a parent stays with their child?

By 'a bit odd' do you mean socially awkward, or do you mean always trying to get children to sit on his lap etc?

Volunteers can have DBS checks at no cost to the organisation (believe that's not changed, at any rate).

He's also not left alone with children.

Yes, a regular volunteer for a toddler group should have a DBS.

If it was a one off helper with parents present then it wouldn’t be required, but regular does require it.

Yeah definitely a paedophile 🙄

If he isn't ever left alone with any of the children he wouldn't technically need a DBs check. Having been to toddler groups helpers are invaluable as many parents don't tend to help so there are always the same ones running about doing stuff while trying to mind their own child.

If he was female without a child helping out would you still feel the same?

Only required if a person is likely to be alone with children. If not then anyone can volunteer.

You're entitled to your feelings or opinions of him, however if he's been there a while it's likely he's fine and this is a you issue.

If this was a lady/granny would you have the same issues that they don't bring a child?

DBS is not required if parents are always there.

Of course they should be. But then you could have a parent taking their child there, using their child as a reason to attend to see other kids and actually a DBS is actually quite worthless. There will be thousands of peadophiles who haven’t been caught. A DBS check is only going to tell you who has been.

that’s why I shudder at people advertising strangers to baby sit social media and thinking oh it’s okay coz they’re DBS checked. Nope

I dont see any need for one if not left alone with the children.

If you don't like him keep your distance which presumably you are doing. If other think he is fantastic then maybe you are mistaken.

I was just asking for advice not accusing him of anything.
yes in song time if a child don’t go to there parent he will offer them to sit on his lap etc
The only other volunteer without a child is an old lady who makes hot drinks and no I don’t have concerns about her as she tends to stay in the kitchen area sorting that out etc. This man mixes with children and the parents the whole two hours I was simply asking who if anyone I should report concerns to

I volunteer at a football club. I am never alone with kids - I do the admin. Every single volunteer is DBS checked.

I used to volunteer at my kids school 1-2 times a week. I didn’t need a dbs. Then again I suppose it’s because I was always in a classroom with a teacher present somewhere.

Technically not correct.

"If your role includes any of the following, then a DBS check is required, whether or not parents or other responsible adults are around at the time:
* Regular teaching, training or instruction
of children.

• Regular care or supervision of children, or a one-off occasion that includes any of the following tasks:
• Relevant personal care.
• Help with eating or drinking due to disability or illness.
• Assisting the individual with the toilet, washing, or dressing due to illness, disability or age.
• Day-to-day management of anyone completing the above tasks.
• Providing any healthcare relating to the individual's physical or mental health.
• Regular physical, emotional or educational advice or guidance for children.
• Driving a vehicle that’s used for conveying children, carers or supervisors.
• Child-minding (whether that’s for early years or older ages)."

From onlinedbschecks.co.uk

So if he's just there putting out activities and cutting up fruit for snack time ans saying hello to kids briefly, he's fine. But if he's regularly teaching the children songs or something, regardless of whether their parents are there or not, he needs a DBS.

To all the 'would you be worried if it was a woman?' posters...

The vast majority of predatory sex offenders who target pre-pubescent children are men. And it isn't rare.

I know you think you're being all egalitarian and fair-minded but sometimes you have to just look at the statistics understand men are more likely to be a risk (by factors).

If you have concerns about this man then you can report it to your local council safeguarding team. If you Google you county and safeguarding you might find it.

How do you know that he doesn't have a DBS check? Have you asked him or the leader directly, or are you relying on assumption/ gossip?

Have a look on any notice board at the back of the church and any newsletters that are around in the church and at the website of the church if it has one.

I would expect the church to have some kind of safeguarding lead and to share contact details for them. It sounds unusual that volunteers are routinely not DBS checked and you should contact the safeguarding lead to say that you were surprised at this and think DBS checks should happen.

I would say that the local safeguarding team are unlikely to do anything about someone being 'nice enough but says things a bit strange', but the OP obviously feels that he poses some risk if she is asking who to report it to.

How do you know he’s not DBS checked?

Is it run by volunteers like him completely or are there paid staff as well? Are any of them checked? How did it come up that he wasn’t?

Is he directly involved with the children, interacting with them as part of his volunteer role, doing activities or any kind of care for them? If so, he needs to have a DBS. It doesn't matter how many other adults are present.

If he's just helping clear up etc., and doesn't have direct contact with the children, he doesn't technically need one.

To be honest though a responsible toddler group should do it for all staff and volunteers. Not sure I'd be happy with this situation.