Supporting Safer Sports

Four children, one holding a football, are standing in a line with arms around each other. They're wearing matching kits. The background is colourful. Sports themed sketches are overlaid, these include a swimming costume, and a rugby ball. There's a blue box and the text within reads, 'Supporting Safer Sports'. The subtext reads, 'DBS helping to safeguard children and vulnerable adults in sport'. The DBS logo features in the bottom left.

What level of DBS check do you need in your sport?

We help to protect and safeguard children and vulnerable adults in sport. We do this by processing DBS checks and maintaining the 2 DBS Barred Lists.

In sport, roles such as coaches, umpires, lifeguards, and physiotherapists could all be eligible for a DBS check.  Generally, eligibility to apply for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check is not based on a person’s job title, but is established by looking at the activities and responsibilities carried out by each individual role. 

Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS checks are only suitable for certain types of sporting roles, so individuals cannot apply by themselves.

Find out more about how to make your sport safer in the video.

DBS Supporting Safer Sports video.

DBS checks in sport guidance

Whether you’re working with children or vulnerable adults in your sport, our safeguarding guidance leaflets cover eligibility for DBS checks across a variety of roles within the sports sector.

Working with children in sport leaflet is available in English and Welsh

Working with vulnerable adults in sport leaflet is available in English and Welsh

Make a barring referral

Are you concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is either being harmed or is at risk of harm in your sport?  More information about whether you should make a barring referral can be found here.

A young female coach, she is wearing a grey hoodie navy tracksuit trousers. The coach appears to be giving instructions to her netball players, she is leaning into the huddle and clapping her hands in an encouraging gesture. There are three players leaning in towards the coach, listening closely to what she is telling them. The players appear to be teenaged females, and they are all dressed in the same kit, indicating that they are on the same team. Their kit consists of a sleeveless red top with white trim and red shorts. They are standing in a school sports hall setting and there is a basketball hoop in the background.

Apply for a Basic DBS check

If your sporting role does not require a higher level of DBS check, then you can apply for a Basic DBS check yourself.  Find out more here.

A young female swimming teacher is teaching a young boy to swim. They are both in a swimming pool and the swimming teacher is holding the boy's hands to help him.
Our quick guide to DBS checks video will give you information about the different types of DBS checks.

Help and support:

We’re here to help you. Get in touch to find out more about our free, bespoke workshops and seminars led by DBS’ expert Regional Outreach team.

The team has advisers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Find out more in our Help and support page.