Nobody could have predicted before Christmas that sport would be cancelled by Easter. The coronavirus outbreak has taken all sport off the calendar for the time being. Big events like the Olympics and Wimbledon have hit the headlines with their cancellations, but smaller events have been affected too. Kids can no longer go to their weekly gymnastics class, or kick a ball around with their friends at the weekend. People who spent their Saturdays travelling to football games have had their hobby put on hold. Given that the football season across Europe has been shelved, it’s perhaps not surprising that the authorities have changed their approach to paperwork. One of the most recent announcements comes from the FA. They have announced the suspension of all criminal checks put through their organisation. What does this mean for people involved in the sport at all levels?
What people in football need criminal checks?
Criminal records checks are more commonly associated with people working in healthcare and education. But there are many people either employed or volunteering in football who might need them too. For example, people employed by clubs to manage the accounts might need a standard disclosure check. A much larger number of people work with children, either coaching or running clubs. The Football Association and other similar bodies take child protection seriously. There have been several high-profile cases of historical abuse in football and they want to take steps to make sure this can’t happen again. The FA’s policy is that all coaches, trainers and other staff working with people under the age of 18 need an enhanced disclosure check.
Enhanced disclosures are the most detailed type of criminal check. This level of certificate looks at not only your current record, but dives deep into your past too. Volunteers don’t pay for their DBS checks. In most cases, coaches, referees or managers dealing with children apply for their certificates through the Football Association.
What’s changing?
At the start of April, the Football Association announced that they would no longer be accepting new applications for DBS checks until the start of the 2020/21 season, whenever that may be. There are several reasons for this decision. Firstly, the FA is the same as other companies in that they have staff furloughed, ill, or off work because they are isolating themselves. With no football going on, even at the most junior level, there is no urgency for a new DBS check to be processed. The FA also highlight increased pressure on the DBS system as they try to process thousands of applications for NHS staff. Any applications which have already been submitted to the DBS will be processed as usual. No new applications can be accepted though. Volunteers and staff are being told to wait until at least September to submit forms.
Expired Criminal Checks
Another change concerns DBS certificates which are about to expire. This is a bit confusing as DBS certificates ordinarily don’t have an expiration date. The FA here are referring to their own internal policies. Currently, the FA policy is that staff and volunteers submit a new application every three years. However, given the current stress on the system, this period will be extended to four years. This decision should also mean the system isn’t deluged with applications when things get back to normal.
What does this mean for parents or volunteers?
If you volunteer with your kids’ football team or earn a bit of extra cash refereeing on the weekend, what do you do? Well the simple advice is that you do nothing. Football is on hold probably until the autumn. Stick to the same social distancing rules advised for everyone else. Keep an eye on the FA website and check emails for any new developments.
From a parent’s point of view, there is no need to worry. The FA and other sporting bodies are still doing what they can to protect your children. Criminal checks will resume as soon as they can. Coaches will still have to go through the enhanced disclosure process, and new coaches won’t be able to start teaching until their certificate arrives. Until football gets back to normal, get the kids practising their skills in the garden insted.