UEFA EURO 2020 Grants

DBS Checks Update

THE FA HAS CONFIRMED THE TEMPORARY CHANGES BEING MADE TO DBS CHECKS UP TO THE START OF THE 2020-21 SEASON.


The following changes apply to all roles in football.

Please be aware the changes outlined below are temporary, and The FA reserves the right to review and amend the position, including to reflect changes in legislation and/or statutory guidance with respect to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and further clarity on when football activity will resume.

- All volunteers, carrying out regulated activity with U18s (in accordance with DBS guidance) and All new referees, referee coaches, observers and mentors registering to officiate within youth football who will be carrying out regulated activity with U18s (in accordance with DBS guidance) require an Enhanced DBS with a check of the Children’s Barring List before they commence their role within football. This is current practice and will remain in place. However, The FA ask that new DBS checks are not submitted (from today onwards) whilst football activity remains suspended.  For the avoidance of doubt, volunteers will not be permitted to carry out regulated activity with U18s until they have obtained a DBS check. The FA will provide a further update on processing new DBS checks in due course when there is further clarity on when football activity will resume. 

- All individuals whose DBS checks are due to expire between 1 March 2020 and 1 October 2020 will not be required to renew their DBS checks until 1 year after the scheduled date of expiry. The FA currently requires DBS checks to be renewed every 3 years in accordance with industry standards and best practice. However, The FA have made an informed decision to extend that to 4 years, in these limited circumstances, on the basis of the current health crisis and associated difficulties in DBS check renewal and the fact that these individuals already hold a DBS check which has been accepted by The FA.

- The FA is currently proposing an end date of 1 October 2020, based on the fact that this season’s grassroots footballing activity has ended and the assumption that pre-season will commence with the start of the youth season starting September 2020. However, as circumstances develop, this date is potentially subject to change.

- The FA’s proposals outlined above are applicable to all DBS checks completed through The FA.

- The FA’s Whole Game System will be updated to reflect these changes.

- The above changes are made to support the football family in the short term and support a return to football activity in the longer term, whilst ensuring The FA’s commitment to safeguarding remains in place.