DBS CLEARANCE
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICES
(DBS)
WHAT IS A DBS CHECK?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is an Executive Agency of the Home Office that provides access to criminal record information and to the lists of those people
barred from working with children and vulnerable adults through its Disclosure service. This service enables organisations to make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be
unsuitable for certain work, paid and unpaid, that involves children or vulnerable adults.
This service is only available for people who undertake particular roles with children or Vulnerable Adults and it is not legal to seek Disclosures for those not ‘eligible’ for such
checks.
DBS CHECKS EXPLAINED
The DBS was established under Part V of the Police Act 1997 and was launched in March 2002.
It is a safe, reliable and legal way to access information held by the Police and other agencies which may indicate if a person may be a risk to children or Vulnerable Adults.
There are 4 different levels of DBS check basic, standard, enhanced, and enhanced with Bared list check. Which one you can apply for is
determined by the role being undertaken and assessed by the amount of time an individual is in regulated contact with Children or vulnerable adults.
By asking to see an individual’s DBS certificate a club or county Association can make considered decisions as to whether a person is suitable for the role they are
applying for.
A person may have a disclosure detailed on their DBS certificate, but this does not mean they are necessarily unsuitable to work within your club or association. A DBS forms part of the
information which allows a club or county to make informed decisions
It is important to recognise and understand that any DBS reflects moment in time. A new member may come to your Club with a clear Disclosure certificate from a previous employment but may have since committed a serious or relevant offence. A DBS check is only one tool that can be used to make informed decisions.
The full guidelines regarding safer recruitment in bowls can be found at
2-Safe-Recruitment-Guidelines-.pdf (bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com) and this can be used in conjunction with the NACRO guidence 05_NGBs_Safe-Fair-Decisions_2021-1.pdf (netdna-ssl.com) which helps clubs and associations undertake a risk analysis of any potential volunteer or member.
DBS PORTABILITY
In recent years volunteers have been able to opt to register for the online update when applying for a DBS. This effectively gives permission for their certificate details to be held online and accessed remotely by other organisation or employers.
It is NOT necessary to have a new check on a ESMBA Member who has already had a ESMBA DBS check in another Club or area. The ESMBA lead safeguarding Officer can tell you whether that person has had
an acceptable check,
WHERE DO I GET A DBS APPLICATION FORM FROM?
These are available from the ESMBA lead Safeguarding officer, or your County SGO. The contact details for all CSGOs can be found
on The English Short Mat Bowling Association (ESMBA) - Safeguarding
Officers
You will be required to complete the form and supply original Identity documents to accompany your application.
The ESMBA applications are processed through the British Crown Green Bowling
Association (BCGBA) and the cost is currently £12.00 for each Enhanced DBS check.
HOW LONG IS A DBS CHECK VALID FOR?
The ESMBA has agreed that DBS checks conducted for the sport of bowls through BCGBA are valid for a period of three years from date of issue.
If however, the applicant opts to register for the online update service upon
receipt of their certificate then following consent by the applicant to allow the online record to be checked an existing DBS can be revalidated for a further 3 years if no new disclosures have been
added in the interim time. More information can be found on this free for volunteer’s service at
DBS Update Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The ESMBA reserve the right to seek a re-check at any point if it has reason to believe there has been a cause for concern.
WHO SHOULD HAVE A DBS CHECK?
It is MANDATORY that people who regularly teach, train, supervise and/or are in sole charge of a child and/or vulnerable adult should have a enhanced DBS check.
Regular contact is defined as ‘Frequently’ (unsupervised contact at least 3 times in a 30 day period)
Additionally to this the ESMBA require those undertaking the following specific roles are required to hold a DBS
• ESMBA Officials ie Umpires, Coaches, and Team Managers
• ESMBA Management Committee members
• Club Safeguarding Officer
• County Safeguarding Officer
• National Lead Safeguarding Officer
• Any other person who has or is likely to have regular and relevant contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Examples include Junior Coach/Junior Team Manager/ regular driver for the
Junior Team.
ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
CLUB SAFEGUARDING OFFICER (SGO)
It is a MANDATORY requirement that all ESMBA clubs providing any of the
following, or similar, activities must have a CLUB SGO.
• Youth programmes
• School links
• Activities for vulnerable adults
• Junior tournaments
• Any other frequent/intensive activities for children and/or vulnerable adults
The ESMBA RECOMMENDS all clubs should have a Club Safeguarding Officer, who has an approved DBS certificate and whose duties should include:
• To act as a point of referral for concerns for Club Members
• To implement and oversee protocols to keep junior members and Vulnerable Adults
safe at club
COACHES/UMPIRES
It is MANDATORY for all approved ESMBA coaches and Umpires to hold a current DBS
certificate. This can have been issued through any of the 5 bowls codes from the BDA safeguarding panel by prior agreement.
We are confident that using the ESMBA guide to safe recruitment combined with a DBS check for relevant staff gives you and your club or association the best protection. It also enables The ESMBA to manage a nationwide system to protect children and vulnerable adults through consistent decision making, record keeping and information sharing across the sport, plus enforcement of supervision and suspensions when necessary