Change to DBS requirements (Scorers and First Aiders)

Changes to Regulated Roles

What changes are taking place?

From 1st January 2024, changes will be taking place in relation to two existing roles on SHMS:

i. Retirement of the ‘First Aider / Physiotherapist / Medical Support’ role – this will be replaced by an unregulated ‘First Aider’ role (will not require an Enhanced DBS check), a regulated ‘Physiotherapist’ role (will require an Enhanced DBS check) and the removal of the ‘medical support’ role

ii. Scorer role to become unregulated (will not require an Enhanced DBS check).

Why are the changes necessary?

The eligibility for Enhanced DBS checks is prescribed in legislation, meaning the ECB are only permitted to request a DBS check on an individual when legally allowed to do so. An Enhanced Regulated Activity check cannot be made for someone not undertaking regulated activity. The submission of DBS checks for ineligible positions would be considered unlawful under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The ECB regularly undertakes these reviews, on all roles, to ensure we are working within and not in breach of any legal requirements. Following this recent review, it has been concluded that the roles of Scorer and First Aider do not meet the legal requirements for an Enhanced DBS as they do not have direct, unsupervised contact with children as per the legal definition of Regulated Activity.

Action required by clubs

The changes will take effect on the SHMS from 08/01/2024 and any of these roles within your club will be automatically removed on this date. The only action required by clubs is to reinvite officials to the new ‘First Aider’ and ‘Physiotherapist’ roles where appropriate if you have people in your club still fulfilling these roles.

DBS Update Service Changes to the DBS renewal process were introduced in January 2023 and this process will remain the same for next year. To remind yourselves of this process, please click here.

Best wishes, The ECB Safe Hands Management Team
Monday 18th December