Basketball England- Notice to all Coaches – DBS and Safeguarding Requirements
To be a licensed coach with Basketball England working with anyone aged 18 or under in regulated activity in a supervisory role, at any level, you must hold a current, clear Enhanced DBS which has been carried out within the last three years. In addition to this, all coaches must have a current safeguarding certificate. You should also ensure that someone within your team, either yourself, an assistant or team follower, has adequate first aid training. You will need to supply these documents and evidence to Basketball England directly or via your Registrar who will forward them to BE for your records. You will be unable to register for the 2017/18 season until this has been done.
All evidence can be sent electronically as a clear, scanned copy along with your full name and date of birth to safeguarding@basketballengland.co.uk. Once your evidence has been received and validated, you will receive an email to confirm that you are able to proceed and register.
FAQs
What if I already have a DBS that didn’t come from Basketball England?
If you hold a DBS from another organization or through your work that meets the criteria above, we can accept this. Please provide us with a copy, along with a completed Self Declaration form (available by clicking HERE).
I can’t meet the criteria above but I need to coach tomorrow, what can I do?
All coaches must have an approved Enhanced DBS check before they can coach anyone under the age of 18 in regulated activity. Please contact Basketball England about obtaining a DBS as soon as possible. For safeguarding certificates and first aid training, we can work with you to obtain these qualifications. Providing Basketball England are satisfied that you are booked on to a course to obtain the knowledge required within the next 60 days, we will permit you to coach. Should you then not be able to attend your course, your license may be suspended.
Where can I find out about safeguarding courses in my area?
Safeguarding workshops via UK Coaching can be found here: http://www.ukcoaching.org/workshops/workshop-search
The NSPCC course can be found here: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/get-expert-training/
Some individuals may have received safeguarding training via their employment. Please speak with us to see if that training is acceptable for basketball.
My DBS has expired; how can I get a new one?
If you need a new DBS, please email safeguarding@basketballengland.co.uk and we will arrange for an activation email to be sent to you with a link to start a Basketball England DBS via GBG online. There is a cost of £14.40 paid online by yourself. Please send your full name and an email address you have not previously used for a DBS or as a verifier.
I only plan on coaching senior basketball, why do I need follow this process?
The criteria outlined above follow best practice when coaching children. The welfare of young players and vulnerable adults is very important and the steps detailed here serve a number of purposes. Should a 17-year-old or vulnerable adult attend one of your sessions, you will be able to include them without jeopardising your own position as a coach. Also, acquiring qualifications of this nature regardless of the age of the people you intend to coach shows a level of responsibility and best practice should anything occur during a session.
If you are certain you will never be in a position where someone 18 or under is in your session, you will be asked to complete a waiver declaration stating this along with a Self-Declaration form. You will not be covered by any BE insurance should you work with anyone 18 or under. Should you breach this, your license will be suspended. Please contact us to request a waiver form so we can discuss this option with you.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact safeguarding@basketballengland.co.uk.
Paper copies of evidence can be sent to National Squash Centre, Gate 13, Etihad Campus, Rowsley St, Manchester, M11 3FF.