British Orienteering is not a registered body for the purpose of DBS checking as we do not process enough DBS applications to qualify. We use the umbrella body Online Disclosures to process applications on our behalf. The system is completely electronic; please follow the steps below to make an application for a DBS disclosure. 

If you are in Northern Ireland or Scotland please visit the links found further down this page.

All Safeguaridng checks are required to be renewed every three years. 

DBS disclosure process (PDF)

1. Decide if you are required to, and eligible to, apply for a DBS disclosure. Use the attached flow diagram to determine if you do or do not need a DBS check. Please note there are separate flow charts depending on who you work with, children or adults at risk.

DBS Flow chart - Children

DBS Flow chart - Adults at risk

2. If you decide that you need a DBS check, Please complete the below DBS Eligibility Form and return to info@britishorienteering.org.uk at the British Orienteering National Office.

If you wish to make a private and confidential disclosure prior to your DBS application, you can return your form to pbrooke@britishorienteering.org.uk.

• The information provided will be used to asses if your role meets the eligibility criteria for a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure as it illegal for us to process an application if the applicant is ineligible. 
• We will also confirm your eligibility status; are you coaching in a volunteer or paid capacity? 
• You will then receive an e-mail containing further instructions as to how to begin your application.

3. When completing the online form you will need to provide a range of information that can be used to verify your identity and address. You will need to provide: 

• Full name and other personal details  

• National Insurance number if you have one  

• Driving Licence number  

• Passport number, nationality and country of issue  

• Full, current address  

4. Somebody will need to verify that the forms of identification provided are genuine. This will either be one of our ‘Document Checkers’ or one of the staff at the National Office. In either case, you will need to provide the following documents: 

• A document showing your National Insurance number 

• Your UK Driving Licence (paper or card) 

• Your Passport 

• A utility bill with your name and current address 

DBS document checkers

5. Due to British Orienteering now using the Online Disclosure system there is a charge of £12.60 inc. VAT per application that will need to be paid by the applicant. 

6. If you have used a Document Checker to verify the documents they will be able to login to the system and confirm that they have verified your documents. 

7. Nominated staff based at the National Office can see the status of all applicants’ check at all times, therefore once verified we will countersign and submit to DBS via the online system. 

8. The DBS will carry out the checks. Their stated aim is to complete standard disclosures in 2 weeks and enhanced disclosures in 4 weeks, but it is better to allow longer than this. When the DBS has completed the checks it will send one copy of the disclosure to you at your home address. British Orienteering will be notified of completed checks. If there is nothing recored, your records will be updated. Should there be a disclosure, you will then need to copy the disclosure and send it to the National Office, this can be a paper copy or a scanned version. 

Should there be a disclosure, it will be assessed by the Lead Safeguarding Officer and potentially then reviewed by the Case Management Group (CMG).

For more information go to the DBS’s own step-by-step guide to the disclosure process. 

*If documents have been sent to British Orienteering to conduct a check, these are returned to the applicant following verification, deleted or distroyed. No copies of anyones personal details provided for the prupose of the DBS check are held on file.

Scotland PVG Scheme

For more information about the Scotland PVG Scheme, visit the Scottish Orienteering Assocaiton webpage here.

Northern Ireland - Access NI

Coaches in Northern Ireland can apply for their check via this link. Coaches are expected to apply for an enhanced check and pay the NI Sports forum who act as the umbrella body.

It is recommended that coaches renew every three years and you should follow the flow diagram as per DBS requirements to see if you require a check.

More information can be found on the NIOA website.

To obtain a pin number contact Chloe safeguarding@niorienteering.org.uk

Will British Orienteering accept the DBS Update Service?

Yes, British Orienteering will accept a DBS through the DBS update service. In order to complete the check, you will need to give the Lead Safeguarding Officer permission to view your document and the following:

• Your certificate number,
• Your surname on the certificate,
• Your date of birth,
• Provide a copy of your original DBS certificate.

Can you use an existing DBS from another company with British Orienteering?

British Orienteering is unable to accept a DBS (In England and Wales) that has been issued from another employer or sport. 

What happens in the case of a positive disclosure or reporting of a safeguarding concern/ incident?

Should there be a disclosure or report of a concern/ incident, it will be assessed by the Lead Safeguarding Officer and potentially then reviewed by the Case Management Group (CMG).

Potential outcomes may be:

• No further action and the individual may continue their role within orienteering.
• The disclosure/ concern/ incident will be investigated but the individual may continue their role within orienteering (This may be supervised or unsupervised).
• A temporary suspension from orienteering will be implemented pending an investigation.

If an investigation is undertaken, the CMG will consider the various submissions and make a final recommendation. Considerations will include, the risk to others participating in orienteering, submissions from those affected, has an individual broken any British Orienteering codes of conduct and are there any other legal processes currently being undertaken.

In the case of any legal proceedings, the CMG will only implement a temporary outcome pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings. 

The final CMG recommendation will then be submitted to the board for final approval before the case is closed.

Potential outcomes include:

• No further action and the individual may continue their role within orienteering.
• A period of suspension from orienteering is implemented.
• A supervision order is implented for a period of time.
• The individual is permanently excluded from orienteering.

If you have any questions regarding the DBS process please email info@britishorienteering.org.uk.