Safeguarding children in sports is a critical responsibility shared by organisations, coaches, and volunteers. One of the most vital tools in ensuring child safety is the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. DBS checks help to prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children, ensuring that sports environments remain positive, safe, and nurturing.
Why Are DBS Checks Important in Sports?
Sports often involve close interactions between coaches, volunteers, and young participants. From one-to-one training sessions to overnight trips for competitions, the level of access and trust given to adults in these roles demands a thorough vetting process. DBS checks for sports coaches and volunteers provide peace of mind for parents and organisations by identifying any criminal history that may make someone unsuitable to work with children.
What Type of DBS Check is Required?
The type of DBS check required depends on the role and the level of contact with children. Most sports coaches and volunteers will need an Enhanced DBS Check with a check of the children’s barred list, especially if their duties involve unsupervised activities, caring for or training children regularly.
Organisations must assess whether the role falls under "regulated activity". If it does, then an enhanced check is mandatory. Regulated activity includes:
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Teaching, training or instructing children
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Caring for children
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Supervising children regularly
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Driving children as part of work duties
Volunteers vs Paid Coaches: What’s the Difference?
Both volunteers and paid staff working in regulated activity with children require enhanced DBS checks. However, volunteers are eligible for a free DBS check, while paid coaches must pay a fee.
Despite this difference, the level of scrutiny remains the same. The safety of children takes precedence, regardless of whether the adult is being paid.
Legal Requirements and Responsibilities
While there is no legal obligation for an individual to apply for a DBS check themselves, sports clubs and organisations are legally responsible for ensuring all staff and volunteers working with children have the appropriate checks in place. Failure to comply could lead to legal consequences and, more importantly, put children at risk.
How Often Should DBS Checks Be Renewed?
There’s no official expiry date for a DBS certificate, but most sports bodies recommend renewing checks every 3 years. Regular checks help maintain safeguarding standards and reflect any recent changes in a person’s criminal record.
Final Thoughts
Keeping children safe in sport is everyone’s responsibility. DBS checks are a critical part of that safeguarding framework, helping to ensure that only suitable individuals are placed in positions of trust. For any organisation involving children in sport, ensuring all coaches and volunteers have an up-to-date DBS check should be non-negotiable.
