DBS Checks for Event Stewards & Marshals - Birmingham

Events and Special Uses England 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of England

This guide explains when volunteers working as event stewards or marshals in Birmingham, England may need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, who enforces event rules, and how to apply or appeal. It covers council responsibilities for public events, typical safeguarding expectations for roles involving children or vulnerable adults, and practical steps organisers and volunteers should follow to remain compliant with local requirements.

Check whether your steward role involves regulated activity before undertaking training or duties.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for event safety, licensing and volunteer safeguarding in Birmingham is carried out by Birmingham City Council teams responsible for events, licensing and environmental health; exact civil or criminal penalties for breaches are often set by the controlling legislation or by licence conditions and may not be itemised on the council guidance pages.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see council guidance for licence conditions and penalties.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence treatments are determined by licence conditions or relevant legislation and are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement may include prohibition orders, suspension of event permissions or licences, seizure of equipment or referral to court; specifics depend on the licence or statutory instrument and are not itemised on the cited page.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: Birmingham City Council Events, Licensing and Regulatory Services handle inspections, complaints and enforcement; contact details and reporting routes are provided on council event pages.[1]
  • Appeals and reviews: appeal routes depend on the authorising regime (for example, licensing appeals to the local licensing sub-committee or to the magistrates' court); time limits and processes are set in the relevant licence or statute and are not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences and discretion: licences and statutory powers commonly allow discretion for reasonable excuse, emergency action or granted variances; exact wording is in the controlling instrument or licence rather than general guidance.
  • Common violations and typical outcomes:
  • Failing to provide trained stewards or insufficient stewarding levels – may trigger requirement to suspend event until rectified.
  • Allowing regulated activity without an appropriate DBS check where required – may lead to licence conditions being enforced or event prohibition.
  • Unsafe temporary structures or non-compliant welfare facilities – enforcement action or prohibition until remedied.

Applications & Forms

DBS checks are applied for through national DBS channels; event permission, street use and temporary event notices are handled via Birmingham City Council application pages. Specific council forms and fees for event permits or street closures are set on the council website and by the relevant service; the council guidance pages list application routes but do not publish every fee or form on the same page.[1]

Some stewarding roles that involve regulated activity require an enhanced DBS check with barred list information.

Practical Steps for Organisers and Volunteers

  • Identify roles and whether they involve regulated activity or close, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults.
  • Contact Birmingham City Council Events/Licensing teams for event permission requirements and any council-specific safeguarding expectations.[1]
  • If a DBS check is required, advise volunteers to apply via the national DBS process and provide the result to the employer/organiser as required.[2]
  • Keep records: maintain training, ID and DBS evidence securely and in line with data-protection rules.

FAQ

Do all event stewards need a DBS check?
Not all stewards need a DBS check; it is required only where the role involves regulated activity or unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults. Organisers must assess roles and request checks where applicable.
How do I apply for a DBS check?
DBS applications are made through the national Disclosure and Barring Service process; organisers should confirm which level of check is required for the role and support volunteers with the application if necessary.[2]
Who enforces event stewarding and safeguarding rules in Birmingham?
Birmingham City Council's Events, Licensing and Regulatory Services enforce event permissions, licence conditions and public-safety requirements; report concerns via the council event pages.

How-To

  1. Assess the steward or marshal role to determine if it involves regulated activity or unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults.
  2. Contact the event organiser and Birmingham City Council Events/Licensing teams to confirm permit and safeguarding requirements.
  3. If required, apply for the appropriate level of DBS check through the national DBS service and obtain the certificate or employer check confirmation.[2]
  4. Provide the organiser with proof of DBS (if required), ID and training certificates before starting steward duties.
  5. Keep records of permissions, DBS checks and incident reports and follow council reporting procedures for any concerns.

Key Takeaways

  • DBS checks are role-specific and required only for regulated activity or unsupervised contact.
  • Organisers must liaise with Birmingham City Council for event permissions and local requirements.

Help and Support / Resources

    Categories

    General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data