What DBS check do I need to coach a mini-soccer team?
Rule- England
- England Football
- Mini-soccer
- Under 8
- Under 9
- Under 10
- Under 11
- 5v5 and 7v7
- 2026/27
- Coaches
Anyone aged 16 or over in a potentially unsupervised role with under-18s, including grassroots coaches and managers, must hold an FA-accepted DBS Enhanced Criminal Record Check with Children's Barred List.
- Clubs and leagues must make sure the check was issued within the last three years.
- New coaches must have an accepted check before working unsupervised with children.
- When you renew, you can keep coaching once the renewal has been submitted to the DBS and shows as "in progress" on the FA Club Portal.
- Under The FA's Safeguarding Children Regulations, anyone who fails to comply with the safeguarding process is immediately suspended from football activity.
Updated 21 Oct 2026