DBS application process to recommence on 1st July

Following discussions with the Disclosure and Barring Service, the RFU has decided to re-open the DBS system on Wednesday 1st July. As many sports and physical activities are resuming, as well as education settings, we believe we should provide RFU members and the Disclosure and Barring Service with notice of a restart date in order to manage an anticipated increase in applications.

Clubs can now prepare for this re-opening in a number of ways. Clubs can prioritise those in the children’s workforce whose applications have expired, or new applicants ready for ID verification. Applications may be submitted from 1st July.

Clubs should carry out a safer recruitment process for new applicants, including use of the volunteer application form to assess their suitability to work/ volunteer with children. The volunteer application form can be
found here. Club Safeguarding Officers and other ID verifiers should ensure that they have ready access to the DBS e-bulk system, i.e. their account is active and password is known. If not please contact dbseapp@rfu.com

Please note that Regulation 21 remains in force and clubs must not engage anyone, or appoint individuals to work with children, on a paid or voluntary basis, who is not DBS cleared. Whilst following social distancing guidelines, ID verification must take place in person. Whilst awaiting their DBS disclosure certificate, a person may temporarily work on a paid or voluntary basis with children provided that they are actively supervised at all times by a person who is DBS cleared by the RFU. This will apply to those who submitted applications prior to the cessation of the DBS process and who are still awaiting a certificate, as well as those applications submitted on or after 1st July.

Any activity with children must follow the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap and comply with Regulation 15.8 ‘Season and Out of Season Activity’.

The RFU expect all those involved in Age Grade Rugby to respect the principles in the Age Grade Codes of Practice and to comply with RFU Safeguarding Policy. The welfare of children is paramount at all times.

For any further help or support, please contact safeguarding@rfu.com