Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
What is the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions each year by processing and issuing DBS checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. DBS also maintains the Adults’ and Children’s Barred Lists, and makes considered decisions as to whether an individual should be included on one or both of these lists and barred from engaging in regulated activity.
DBS Checks
Disclosure teams carry out DBS checks (previously known as CRB, or criminal record checks).
There are four types of DBS check, and each type results in a DBS certificate being issued to an individual. Employers can then ask to see the certificate to ensure that they are recruiting suitable people into their organisation.
The four levels of DBS check are:
- Basic DBS check
- Standard DBS check
- Enhanced DBS check
- Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check
The information contained on each type of check is different.
Further information on the DBS is available on the GOV.UK website [external link]
A guide to DBS checks [PDF Document]
Referral to the DBS
If you dismiss or remove a person from Regulated Activity (or you would have done so had they not left) because they have harmed or posed a risk of harm to a child, or to an adult receiving Regulated Activity, then you have a legal duty to refer the person to the DBS.
To make a referral:
DBS Regional Outreach Service – North East
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched a new Regional Outreach Service to focus on working collaboratively with safeguarding and recruiting organisations. The aim is to work closer with organisations and networks to build and develop relationships, acting as a single point of contact for all DBS related enquiries within their region.
The DBS Regional Outreach Advisor for North East and is based in the region and are available to discuss all matters in relation to DBS, as well as support you and your colleagues in safeguarding and safer recruitment.
Th outreach advisor is able to work with you and your organisation in a number of ways, including:
- Answering phone calls or emails to clarify any DBS related queries/questions or advice
- Attending meetings, training, conferences or visiting organisations to have a face to face discussion (in line with pandemic restrictions)
- Developing and delivering presentations, workshops, webinars or discussions to provide an overview of DBS and safer recruitment
- Taking any feedback, suggestions or comments from DBS experiences and feeding this back into the business
- Review organisations policies and procedures in relation to DBS
- Helping to understand what level of check can be applied for and what information these checks will provide
- Informing organisations and employers of their duty or power to refer individuals who may pose a future risk of harm within regulated activity. Including an overview of:
- How to make barring referrals;
- When should a referral be made and
- How DBS assess whether a referred person should be included on the Children’s and/or Adults’ Barred List.
- If you have any questions regarding the DBS or would like any further information, please contact: