The Welsh Sports Association has announced that it will be launching a new Disclosure and Barring Service. The news comes just weeks after the Wales Council for Voluntary Action announced that it is to provide a list of appropriate checking services rather than procure a service on behalf of the third sector.
“We are very pleased to be strengthening the services we provide to our members by adding a DBS function to our offering,” said Victoria Ward of the Welsh Sports Association. “The service will be the first of its kind to offer a fully bilingual online facility, accompanied by a bilingual free phone helpline.”
The service, which will go live on 1st October 2016, will be available to WSA members at a discounted rate of £4.50 and will also be widely available to other third sector organisation at a fee of £5.50.
Sport Wales has committed to providing transitional funding for the checking of sports volunteers, to allow governing bodies of sport time to budget for the cost of the service. The service was provided free of charge by the WCVA for a number of years, until the announcement earlier this year that the funding was to be cut.
“Sport Wales recognises the vital importance of DBS checks and many NGBs agreeing to work together with the WSA should ensure costs remain low and there is one voice for the sector on this matter, “ said Lowri Woodier, Sport Wales Senior Officer. “We want to make sure there is no negative impact on the coaching and volunteering strategy and this transitional period of free checks for six months will now allow NGBs to plan communication to their clubs and members to ensure they are well advised of the changes ahead.”
The WSA is committed to finding shared service solutions for its members, to support the reduction in costs and the enhancement of services. The first shared service, Insurance, was launched in April, which is already providing up to 25% savings for its customers.
English