CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK

Page Last Updated: 19th March 2025

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:

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 check by contacting Scottish Fencing. Members of the PVG scheme must have a Scheme Update check done every three years.

The remainder of information on this page relates to DBS checks in England & Wales which are undertaken by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) through Know Your People (KYP)

DO I NEED A 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”.

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:

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

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

I NEED A 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 a DBS check

Step 2 – Once you receive your 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 A DBS CHECK – WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

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

If you have any questions, please contact us