CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK

Last updated: 12th May 2026

British Fencing (BF) has to comply with the law in determining who needs a check and encourages all people who have frequent and regular contact with children, young people and adults at risk to have the appropriate criminal record check.  The way this is done varies from one home nation to another, but the principles are broadly similar.   The phrase criminal record check is an umbrella term for the different checks in different parts of the country:

Information on this page not specific to Guernsey, Northern Ireland or Scotland relates to Enhanced DBS checks in England & Wales requested through British Fencing which are undertaken by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) through Know Your People (KYP). Please be aware of current DBS check costs – you can find out more on the government website.

GUERNSEY

You will need to obtain a Guernsey Vetting Bureau (GVB) check by contacting Guernsey Union d’Escrime.

NORTHERN IRELAND

You will need to obtain an AccessNI check by contacting Northern Ireland Fencing

SCOTLAND

You will need to obtain a DisclosureScotland. If you are working or volunteering in Scotland and a member of the PVG scheme please contact your club’s Welfare Officer who will advise you on what steps you need to take. Further information is on Scottish Fencing’s website under PVG and Disclosure Checks. Members of the PVG scheme must have a Scheme Update check done every three years.

DO I NEED AN ENHANCED DBS CHECK?

If you are working on a regular basis with children on an unsupervised basis, then it is likely that you will require a DBS check as you are likely to fall into what is known as “Regulated Activity”.

In general the following roles are likely to require an Enhanced Check including the barred list for children:

  • Coaches
  • Team Managers
  • Leaders
  • Club Welfare Officers
  • Referees (who work with U18’s for three or more days in a 30day period)

These flowcharts may help in deciding what type of check is required.

Anyone who is working in a “Regulated Activity” with children on a frequent or regular basis must have an Enhanced Check which includes a check against the Children’s Barred List.  This is a legal requirement.

In some rare instances in fencing, a check against the Adult Barred List may be required.

Regulated Activity for adults is defined as someone who is involved in the following:

 

I NEED AN ENHANCED DBS CHECK – WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

DBS application processing takes place online using the KYP service via British Fencing.  You are advised to take the following steps:

Step 1 – Apply to British Fencing for an Enhanced DBS check

Step 2 – Once you receive your Enhanced DBS Certificate you are strongly advised to sign-up to the DBS Update Service.   This must be done within 30 days of the issue date of your certificate.

Step 3 – You then need to give BF permission to view your information online.  This allows us to check your DBS status and means that you do not have to reapply in 3 years time.

I ALREADY HAVE AN ENHANCED DBS CHECK – WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

If your Enhanced DBS details have been previously uploaded to Sport:80 and are about to expire or have expired then if you are part of the DBS Update Service then give us permission to check your information online.

We are not obliged to accept external DBS checks. An external certificate will only be accepted if:

  • It was issued for a similar type of role
  • Within a similar type of organisation
  • For the same workforce category as the role you hold within fencing.
  • It is registered with the DBS Update Service
  • The check is ONLY against the child barred list

You must give us permission to carry out an online status check on any external DBS certificate.

Then please send us a copy/photo of all pages of your original certificate. If you only send the front page, we will not be able to renew your check in our records.

If you are not part of the DBS Update Service and your dates have expired in Sport:80 then you will need to apply for a new Enhanced DBS Check.

If you have any questions, please contact us

 

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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