*Making recruitment safer in football video; available here

29 September 2022 

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is providing tailored support to Premier League football clubs as part of an ongoing joint initiative to enhance their approaches to safeguarding vulnerable people.

DBS supports employers to make safer recruitment decisions by processing and issuing criminal record checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

As part of a partnership between its DBS Regional Outreach Service and the Premier League, clubs will be given access to:

• Dedicated DBS assistance on DBS processes and legislation including eligibility for DBS checks and the legal duty to make referrals to DBS
• Regular training across each season to support safe recruiting of employers and volunteers working with children, young people and adults at risk
• Regional hubs enabling staff from clubs across the football pyramid to connect with their regional DBS adviser, offering peer-to-peer support and sharing of best practices
• Invaluable resources, publications and relevant information on the DBS service and other safeguarding materials to help prevent incidents and protect individuals via the Premier League Safeguarding Hub

The Premier League – which is also working closely with the NSPCC – is seeking to help clubs and their community organisations implement robust and effective safer recruitment procedures and practices, ensuring staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children and adults at risk.
 

Eric Robinson, CEO of DBS, said:

“Our Regional Outreach Service will be providing clubs with a single point of contact for all DBS-related queries and questions, as well as the opportunity to access tailored, DBS training for their staff and volunteers. Our team also collates feedback to ensure future improvements can be made to DBS services and processes.

“DBS is committed to working with organisations through our Regional Outreach Service so we can keep the most vulnerable in our society safe. Any organisation of any size can access free support. Find out more by visiting www.gov.uk/dbs.”

Jess Addicott, Premier League Head of Safeguarding, said:

“Our work with DBS has been invaluable in providing clubs and their community organisations with additional support with their and safer recruitment procedures and practice.

“We look forward to continuing our collaborative work in this space to create safe environments and cultures.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information about this press release, email dbsmedia@dbs.gov.uk or call 07867287970.

Premier League logos can be found here

Making recruitment safer in football video; available here