DBS Checks for Sport Coaches

DBS Checks for Sport Coaches 

With scenes from Paris 2024 so fresh in our minds, it’s easy to forget that most of our sports aren’t played out on the big screen at national level. The majority of people that are involved in sport in the UK are involved at grass roots level, within one of the thousands of sports clubs all over the country.  

While there may be paid coaches in place for the teams, most of the teams are coached and led by volunteers. Although they may give their time freely, the volunteer sector is tightly regulated with DBS checks for volunteers in place. Find out more about DBS Checks

‘I’m a volunteer coach – do I need a DBS check?’ 

Yes, regardless of the sport that you are involved in coaching or the governing body, you will require a DBS check for volunteer work.  

Sports coaching has not always been regulated and – in the past – it had meant that children, young people and supported adults may have been vulnerable. In 2002, CRB checks for volunteers were rolled out. This enabled sports clubs and charities to carry out criminal record checks on the volunteers that worked with them. 

These safeguarding checks were enhanced in 2012, when the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was launched on December 1 to run DBS checks.  

The DBS merged with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) following the need for improved safeguarding. 

What is a Volunteer DBS Check? 

A volunteer DBS check, whether it be for a sports coach, or a volunteer associated with any organisation or charity, contains the same checks as a DBS check for a paid employee.  

As with all DBS checks, there are three levels of check – basic, standard and enhanced.  

The level of DBS check required by volunteer sports coaches will depend on the nature of the coaching role that they are undertaking.  

Some clubs, certain sports and their regulating bodies may have different guidelines so it’s worth speaking to the club’s safeguarding officer or welfare officer to understand the process and procedure in place.  

Why do I need a DBS check for volunteers? 

Volunteers are the beating heart of many sports clubs, charities and other organisations. Without people that are willing to give their time up to support and coach others, it is likely that many clubs would have to fold.  

However, the safety and safeguarding of members is paramount within any club or organisation.  

A volunteer DBS check reviews an individual’s criminal record to understand if they are both eligible and suitable to work with vulnerable people and within the wider community.   

A DBS check will alert the club to any criminal convictions. This will allow the club to assess if a candidate will be allowed to volunteer with them. 

While a basic DBS check will show spent convictions, cautions and warnings, an enhanced DBS check will show both spent and unspent convictions, as well as any relevant information that is held by local police forces and the Police National Computer.  

Sports clubs and organisations may also request a check of the adults’ barred list and /or the children’s barred list (also known as List 99).  

If a potential volunteer is registered on the list that is being checked, then it is illegal for them to volunteer with the club or organisation as they have been registered as being a threat or a danger to children and/or vulnerable adults, depending on which list has been checked. 

More than good optics, having a robust safeguarding process in place with DBS checks as standard demonstrates to parents and the wider club community that wellbeing and welfare is taken seriously by the club.  

Do I Need a DBS to Coach Adults? 

If you are hoping to recruit volunteers to work with adults, it again depends on the nature of the role involved as to whether a volunteer coach would need a DBS check.  

For some coaching roles, it may span both adult and child coaching which will require a DBS check.  

For others, however, a DBS check will be recommended because of mental health concerns or disabilities. This may depend on your sport’s governing body or your club policy.  

Can a DBS Check Expire?  

A DBS check does not run out. However, most organisations, from schools to sports clubs, do set a renewal date of every three years. For some clubs, this may be more frequent. The frequency of DBS check renewal should be established within a club safeguarding policy. 

Can Sports Coaches use a DBS Check from another sport? 

Often, sports coaches are involved with more than one club. You may find that a football, rugby or hockey coach is involved with a summer sport, such as cricket or tennis.  

Are DBS checks transferable? 

A coach may have an existing and valid DBS check that can be accepted by a club for which they will undertake a new coaching role.  

However, a DBS Check on the Update Service can only be accepted for a new role that meets the same requirements as the existing DBS-checked role. Some clubs will stipulate that a club-specific DBS check is required.    

Is a Volunteer DBS check free? 

The Government is committed to safeguarding at all levels of sports and charity volunteering and so do not charge a government-set DBS fee. There is an administration cost attached to running a DBS check and this is the fee that is charged by MyVetting. 

At MyVetting, we are strong supporters of sports club volunteers. We know that the contribution they make to making sport happen helps to ensure clubs are the beating hearts of so many communities.  

We’ve worked hard to lower our sports coaches DBS admin fee to help clubs’ budgets stretch as far as they can. 

We also know that DBS checks are run by volunteers within the club, so we’ve ensured that our easy-to-use platform makes it quick and simple to check the status of DBS checks.  

Our online DBS process lets you run basic, standard and enhanced DBS checks within a few clicks, with the request for information delivered directly to your candidates’ digital devices.  

No fuss. No delays. No paperwork.