Everyone requires BPSS… But it was rolled out in a phased approach to avoid being swamped with 10,000 BPSS applications all at once. i.e. they prioritised… “Get these people done first… Then we’ll worry about those people, and then later those too…”
I submitted my DBS to WHQ on 14 June, received it back 7 July.
Will be getting the WEXO to visit the Sqn to do bulk BPSS for all once we are back, this was planned to run pre lockdown
It can vary wildly, but it took defence business services a couple of days to submit after receipt, then the stage 4 is where its a lottery. If your in Scotland its under 5 days on average whereas if yours has to go through Thames Valley its over 70 days. If youve moved around a bit you have the added complexity of it being passed between all the relevant forces.
If your interested the average processing times are published and updated here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dbs-performance
With my football DBS I just filled in an online form, popped into county FA and verifier checked my ID proofs, took copies and then went online and confirmed them and I had the certificate a week later
I’ll ask the question about Online DBS tonight to my RC, I know it was discussed at a recent ACMB and there was apparently progress being made…
2 Likes
I tried to set up my most recent DBS on the online renewal system but it was consistently down for maintenance every time I checked. Eventually I ran out of time to register it so there we go…
Why doesn’t the phrase “discussed at a recent ACMB” fill me with confidence, regardless of apparent progress being made. I recall such things said about admin reduction and glider recovery.
1 Like
Just seen on social media 440(Isle of Man) have returned to F2F activities
2 Likes
Was just about to say that.
Although it’s good news, I do find it strange they’re able to return because they’re in a ‘Covid free zone’ whilst the rest of us wait.
I thought we would all return on the same date as we are all one organisation?
I don’t see any harm in them cracking on to be honest.
Why keep everyone locked down when they are able to return? The IoM has always been somewhat unique anyway.
4 Likes
I saw that. My main question is why on earth is their OC a Wg Cdr?
I’d be pretty irritated if I was a CFAV or cadet in a covid-free area and we were forbidden from restarting just because England couldn’t lock down fast enough. It’ll probably be variable for months depending on local lockdowns anyway.
No idea but he has been for absolutely ages.
Isle of Man is a self governing state, it’s a country who happens to share a HoS with the UK, but that’s it. If their government has decided that it’s both safe and appropriate for them the return, then I very much take the view that it’s no one’s business but theirs.
No one would, I assume, it would be inappropriate for (for example) the Scottish government to decide in the future that certain types of activities were or not allowable in the circumstances that Scotland faced?
2 Likes
I’m fairly certain a lot of people would think exactly that if the comments I see about the devolved governments are anything to go off…
1 Like
All power to them! I’ll put in my transfer papers… the landlord of our accommodation (not RFCA) is suggesting the new year until we can return… makes regional approval look like child’s play!
Wot. 
TBPH we are into the relatively slow sqn period during the summer holidays, so waiting for another month or so, isn’t that much of a problem.
Fair dos, guess I just jumped the gun and I’m frustrated at not being back haha.
Are Isle of Man classed as an Overseas Squadron? Or are they just like some of the more remote Scottish Island Squadrons?
I imagine any squadron in the US would be an overseas unit yeah… 
But, no they’re not officially an overseas squadron I don’t think but their geographical position does give them a bit of leeway.
much like 1024 Isle of White Squadron or 1465 and 2474 units in Anglesey (although the latter less remote as an island given the bridge)