The Disclosure and Barring Service has set out an improved offer of tailored support to Premier League teams to boost safeguarding for children and other vulnerable people.
The Home Office non-departmental public body provides criminal record checks for employers in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
As part of a partnership between DBS’s regional outreach service and the Premier League, the league’s 20 clubs and their community organisations will be given access to new resources to aid safe recruiting of staff and volunteers.
It includes dedicated assistance on processes and legislation; regular training every season; regional hubs that put clubs in touch with their local DBS adviser, as well as offering peer-to-peer support; and access to additional resources via the Premier League Safeguarding Hub.
DBS chief executive officer Eric Robinson said the support being offered to clubs was aimed at giving football teams a one-stop-shop for advice and support – and identifying areas where additional work was needed on the service's part.
“Our regional outreach service will be providing clubs with a single point of contact for all DBS-related queries and questions, as well as the opportunity to access tailored, DBS training for their staff and volunteers,” he said.
“Our team also collates feedback to ensure future improvements can be made to DBS services and processes.”