Bowls England |
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. For Bowls Clubs it helps the club ensure that the volunteer/employee is safe to hand the responsibility of the position that they are in.
There are four levels of DBS checks available:
- Basic DBS
- Standard DBS
- Enhanced DBS – This is the standard for Bowls.
- Enhanced DBS with Barred List(s)
You can find further information on these checks here.
The minimum age at which someone can be asked to apply for a criminal record check is 16 years old.
Who needs a DBS?
Coaches
All coaches must have attended a Safeguarding Course by 1st April 2023. New Coaches have twelve months from certification to attend a course. As of 1st October 2022 all Coaches, no matter what level, must have a DBS check in the name of their National Governing Body. This is obtained through Coach Bowls.
Safeguarding Officers
Safeguarding Officers are currently strongly recommended by Bowls England, as of 2025 they will mandatory as a qualification of affiliation. Safeguarding Officers should have a DBS check. It is the responsibility of the Club/Association to ensure that their Safeguarding Officers hold a DBS check in the name of their National Governing Body.
Other
Other positions such as Team Managers and certain Volunteers may also be required to have DBS checks. It is the responsibility of the Club/Association to ensure that their volunteers and officers hold a DBS check in the name of their National Governing Body.
Our DBS forms contain seven different checks. To assist you we have created this handy poster so that you can easily assess which check that is correct for your position. You can find the poster here.
How to apply?
You should apply online, click here to apply.
Queries/Follow-up?
If you have a query in relation to DBS Checks or would like to follow up an application that you have made, please find below contacts:
Coaches: Adam Durnin | adam@coachbowls.org
All other positions: Katherine Miller | katherine.miller@bowlsengland.com
Child Workforce v Adult Workforce
When your DBS comes through it will list Child Workforce on it, this is standard and it does not mean that you cannot work with Adults. In order to be eligible for an Adult Workforce label on your DBS, you must work with adults that receive a health or social care service in a health or social care environment. As sports organisations, we are not eligible for this check.