A Guide To The DBS Barred Lists
The DBS barred lists are a major part of background screening and criminal record checking. A DBS barred list usually accompanies an Enhanced DBS Check and is used to vet people for job roles that involve the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults.
In this article, we will define what the DBS barred lists are and how they are used when recruiting individuals for jobs or voluntary roles working with children and vulnerable adults.
What Are DBS Barred Lists?
DBS barred lists come in two forms – a list of people that are banned from being in roles that involve working with children and those that involve working with vulnerable adults.
Individuals are listed on the children’s barred list, the adult’s barred list, or both, depending on the nature of past crimes.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) are in charge of keeping the barred lists up to date and helping to safeguard vulnerable people in the UK.
In many roles, the employer is legally required to make sure that employees are not barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. This makes the DBS barred lists an important part of any safeguarding policy.
The DBS barred list checks are part of the Enhanced DBS Check application process, when appropriate for the role. If the role passes the eligibility requirement for an Enhanced DBS Check, the next stage is to ask whether it is eligible for a barred list check too, as not all roles are.
To be eligible for a DBS barred list check, the role must be considered to be a ‘regulated activity’. A regulated activity means that the role involves direct and unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults on a frequent basis.
Who Is On The DBS Barred Lists?
The names and details of people on the DBS barred lists are individuals that are considered to be a risk to vulnerable adults and/or children. In other words, employing them would compromise safeguarding principles.
An individual whose details are listed on either DBS barred list has a conviction or caution on their criminal record for commiting a serious offence that is relevant to safeguarding. A conviction for a crime that is considered to be a ‘relevant offence’ means that the person will automatically qualify for inclusion on one or both of the DBS barred lists.
In some cases, the individual will be invited to appeal against being placed on the list and represent their case.
Can You Refer An Individual for Barring?
Official organisations such as local authorities and health trusts can refer individuals to the DBS if it is believed that they present a sufficient risk to vulnerable groups.
Any person listed on either barred list cannot work in a role involving the relevant vulnerable group and it is illegal for them to apply for these kinds of jobs.
Summary of DBS Barred Lists
DBS barred lists are an important part of background screening for new job recruits and help to ensure the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children.
Barred list checks are part of the Enhanced DBS Check application. Many employers are legally required to carry out DBS barred list checks for roles that are classed as regulated activities.
If a person’s details are on either barred list, it means that they are not allowed to work with either children or vulnerable adults, or both groups.
To find out more about DBS barred lists and DBS Checks in general, get in touch with one of our expert team today.
