Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) England and Wales
Your DBS needs to be renewed every three years.
If you've signed up to the online update service and pay the DBS company annually, you can fill out and return the online update permission form (link below), this will allow us to access your DBS account on your behalf to update and run an annual check relative to your expiry date.
DBS Update Service Permission Form
If you've renewed your DBS and aren't part of the update service please submit this via our online certificate submission form.
Apply for a new DBS certificate
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How to complete the DBS:-
Step 1
- Ask a BHS representative such as a current APC Coach, BHS Assessor, BHS Regional/National Manager or BHS employee attending shows, to check and sign copies of 3 forms of ID. ID Guidance.
- Complete our DBS form. The verified copies of your identification documents will need to be uploaded to this form.
- If you are unable to apply online please contact the Safeguarding team for support in completing the online form (02476 840746).
Step 2
Once your application and copies of your identification documents have been received and verified we'll send you an email with next the steps in the process:
- The link to the online DBS form will be sent to you via email, this will be on our online platform hosted by uCheck.
- You MUST click on this link and complete/submit the form. Please refer to the relevant guidance on how to complete the online form.
- Make your payment of £65.00 by sending in a cheque, opt to pay by BACS (account details will be emailed to you once your documents have been received) or call the Accredited Professionals Team to pay by secure telephone.
- Once the link and form have been completed and your payment received, your online form will be submitted for a DBS check to take place. This can take up to 12 weeks, although most are completed much sooner.
- You'll receive your certificate in the post direct from DBS once the check has been completed.
- BHS will be sent email notification of the DBS result. Once we receive this, we'll update your records and send you an email with details of how to join the DBS Update Service. You only have 30 days to subscribe to the Update Service once you receive your certificate. Please contact BHS to inform us you've signed up to the DBS Update Service.
Need further support?
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch, we'll be happy to help.
Accredited Professionals Team 02476 840565.
Safeguarding Team 02476 840746.
Join the DBS Update Service
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Once your DBS has been processed and you receive your certificate you can join the Update Service. You have only 30 days to join the update service after receiving your certificate. You can join the Update Service through the Government website. Please see https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.
Once you have joined the Update Service you will pay a yearly fee rather than completing your DBS check every three years, you won’t have to fill in any forms or have your ID checked. It also allows other organisations or companies to check your DBS for other, similar roles, including volunteering, without having to pay an extra fee.
The Update Service costs £16 per year and you can pay by debit or with credit card. You must keep your DBS certificate safe as the DBS will not re-issue it if you lose this and are on the Update Service.
If your annual payment is linked to a card you will need to contact the DBS if your card is due to expire to set up a new Direct Debit payment. If payment fails you will no longer be enrolled on the Update Service and will have to apply for a new DBS certificate. DBS contact number: 03000 200190.
Once you have signed up to the Update Service we require your permission to check your DBS is valid. Please complete the DBS Update Service Permission Form.
Please Note: BHS are only able to accept Enhanced DBS certificates from outside of the organisation that are linked to the DBS annual update service. This is due to DBS checks being role specific and they may be interpreted differently depending on the organisation that has requested the check.
PVG Scheme (Scotland)
As a freelance coach you need to decide whether the work you are doing is considered to be a 'regulated role' and requires a PVG Check.
PVG’s do not currently have a renewal date however, this is changing from April 2026 and they will need to be renewed every 5 years.
PVG Scheme Scotland
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As a freelance coach you need to decide whether the work you are doing is considered to be a 'regulated role' and requires a PVG Check. If you're working with private clients under the age of 18 in their own homes, on a freelance basis you'll be required, by law, to complete a PVG check. Freelance instructors who haven't yet joined the PVG Scheme but need to, can obtain a scheme membership statement directly from disclosure Scotland at a cost of £59.
Under the PVG scheme parents may choose to check whether you're barred from working with children, this is through their right to be able to access a disclosure as personal employers.
If you work in a ‘regulated role’ for another organisation, as well as your freelance work, you'll be able to access a confirmation of membership scheme or scheme record update through your employer. It will provide a link between you and your employer. If your employer would like further information please ask them to contact BHS or go to Apply to the PVG scheme - mygov.scot.
For more information please see our guide PVG Guide for APCs.
Access NI checks (Northern Ireland)
Access NI checks require renewal every three years.
If you've renewed your Access NI check please submit this via our online certificate submission form.
Access NI checks Northern Ireland
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You'll need to complete:
- BHS Pre-application form
- Pin Notification and ID validation form
- Identity Documents
Checking Documents
Send a copy of each document to Susan Spratt, BHS National Manager - Ireland. You can do this via email or WhatsApp:
Email: susan.spratt@bhs.org.uk.
WhatsApp: +44(0)7808141079
BHS Ireland will then arrange a face to face chat – WhatsApp video call is the preferred option or an online meeting via Microsoft Teams.
Payment
Before you apply online there is a cost of £35 which goes to the Pony Club Area 17 as they are acting as an Umbrella Body and processing the applications for BHS.
BHS Ireland Paypal account is s.irwin@bhs.org.uk or pay directly to British Horse Society NI Region Bank Account –
Unity Trust Bank
British Horse Society – Northern Ireland
Account Number: 20511210
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Next steps
You'll receive the pin number to apply online. The current Access NI turnaround time is approximately 3 to 4 days.
Apply online for an enhanced check through a registered body | nidirect
Once you have received your Access NI certificate please forward this to the APC team to update your records via the Certificate Submission Form.
For more information please contact:
Susan Spratt
BHS National Manager - Ireland
susan.spratt@bhs.org.uk
+44(0)7808141079