Changes to the DBS Procedure – 1st January 2026
Posted: 26 February 2025
For those positions in the NFAS that require a DBS disclosure, the holder has to reapply every three years. Currently for NFAS Coaches the cost of renewal is met by the NFAS however, for the past few years the DBS have been operating an online update service. This service is free to volunteers (and therefore coaches) and does not require the applicant to send proof of identity each time a renewal is required.
From the 1st January 2026 the NFAS will no longer meet the cost of coaches renewal DBS checks. For those coaches that have not registered with the DBS update service before the 1st January 2026 there will be a charge of £25.00. This fee must accompany the coaches renewal document. For newly qualified coaches the DBS is included in the coach training course fee.
The Update Service Allows:
- Applicants to keep their DBS certificates up to date
- NFAS to check a DBS certificate (To renew your coach status you must give permission for the NFAS DBS Administrator to view your disclosure details online)
- The NFAS to accept online Update Service disclosures from other organisations, providing they are enhanced disclosures
How to register
To use the Update Service, you need to register online within 28 days of receiving your new DBS disclosure at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.
If you’ve not yet applied for a DBS check, you can register for the update service using your application reference number (the ‘form ref’ on your DBS application form. This is the application form you will receive from DDC Checking Ltd after completing your coach renewal form). DBS must receive your application form within 28 days.
If you’ve already applied for your DBS, you can register for the update service using your DBS certificate number. You must do this within 28 days of the certificate being issued. You can use the DBS tracking service to check the progress of your DBS certificate.
What you get
You’ll be able to use your DBS certificate to apply for positions in other societies and clubs, providing it is a voluntary position.
- Unless the post you are applying for requires you to get a new certificate
- You need a certificate for a different type of ‘position’ (for example, you have an ‘adult workforce’ certificate and need a ‘child workforce’ certificate)
- You need a different level certificate (for example, you have a standard DBS certificate and need an enhanced one
Once you’ve registered, you can use the update service to:
- Add or remove a certificate
- Give permission to check if anything’s changed on your certificate
- See who’s checked if anything’s changed on your certificate
- View your details
Renewing your subscription
A subscription to the update service lasts for one year. Coach renewals will still last for three years.
Currently the update service is renewing disclosures. without charge.
Please Note:
The DBS Update service are no longer automatically updating Volunteer DBS disclosures, this must be done by the holder and if not completed in the given time frame, the registration is cancelled and the manual process must be started from the beginning by completing the manual forms and presenting proof of identity
Full details of the Update Service can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.
If applying for your DBS for the first time the same online procedure applies.