The Disclosure and Barring Service launches Supporting Safer Sports campaign

The importance of sports

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched its Supporting Safer Sports campaign, to help organisations to make safer recruitment decisions by providing safeguarding guidance and advice.

Sports organisations do incredible work, providing huge physical, mental, and social benefits to children and adults alike, so it is essential that this important work is done as safely as possible. All sports organisations have a responsibility to ensure that safeguarding is their priority, so that everyone can safely access the wealth of benefits that sports clubs or activities can bring.

Launching the DBS Safeguarding Sports campaign

The DBS Safeguarding Sports campaign will provide support to all sports sector organisations, from grassroots to elite level, to make informed recruitment decisions when hiring new staff and volunteers.

A newly launched campaign website is providing a ‘one stop shop’ for the most up to date DBS guidance for recruitment and safeguarding, to help sports organisations build safer sporting communities. The campaign website provides concise, easy to follow guidance around the eligibility for DBS checks across a range of sports roles, information on the duty to refer, as well as how to make a quality barring referral when necessary. The page also includes vital information such as how organisations can contact DBS’ Regional Outreach team and access free bespoke training and guidance to help with any queries or concerns their organisation may have.

The role of the DBS check

DBS checks play a key role in helping make sport safer for the most vulnerable groups by providing a record of a person’s criminal convictions and cautions, to help employers make decisions about their suitability for the role.

There are 4 levels of DBS check, Basic, Standard, Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List(s). The check an individual will need depends on the activities and responsibilities within a role that the person will carry out.

Deciding which check is right for your organisation is where the Supporting Safer Sports campaign website comes in. Sports organisations can utilise the guidance and advice available on the website to help them make this decision and do their part to ensure that sports remain safe all.

Eric Robinson, Chief Executive for the Disclosure and Barring Service, said:

“All sports organisations have a responsibility to ensure that safeguarding is their priority, so that everyone can safely access the wealth of tremendous benefits that sports clubs or activities can bring.

“DBS has a strong track record of engaging with and providing guidance and assistance to sports organisations, clubs and individuals through our Outreach and Partnerships team who work closely with the likes of the Premier League, local authorities, National Youth Association, NSPCC-CPSU, Ann Craft Trust, and national governing bodies

“The launch of the DBS Supporting Safer Sports campaign is designed to provide additional support and resource tools to support those operating in the sporting sector at all levels, protecting those at risk of harm in the process.?

“We hope these valuable resources will be welcomed and provide great benefit for employers, employees, volunteers, participants, families and carers.”