Introduction
The DBS Barred Lists are lists held by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) of individuals who are deemed unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults. The lists aim to protect those who are vulnerable from harm or abuse that may be inflicted by unsuitable individuals.
Types of DBS Barred Lists
There are two types of DBS Barred Lists: the Children’s Barred List and the Adults’ Barred List. Individuals who are included in these lists are prohibited from engaging in regulated activities with the vulnerable group that the list is designed to protect. For more information about regulated activity, take a look at our guide: Regulated Activity and DBS Checks. (In short, regulated activity usually just refers to working with children or vulnerable adults.)
Children’s Barred List
The Children’s DBS Barred List is aimed at preventing individuals who pose a risk of harm to children from working or volunteering in regulated activities with children. Regulated activities with children include activities such as teaching, coaching, and supervising children.
Adults’ Barred List
The Adults’ DBS Barred List, on the other hand, is aimed at preventing individuals who pose a risk of harm to vulnerable adults from working or volunteering in regulated activities with vulnerable adults. For example, hospital patients are considered vulnerable adults, so medical professionals almost always require an Adult’s Barred List check.
Offences
It is an offence for a barred individual to engage in regulated activity with the respective vulnerable group. The DBS works closely with employers and other relevant bodies to ensure that barred individuals are not allowed to work or volunteer with the relevant vulnerable group.
It is an offence for barred individuals to apply for a job from which they are barred. It would be an offence for an employer to hire someone on the barred list to work with the vulnerable group they are barred from.
DBS Checks
Employers and organisations that work with children and vulnerable adults are required to check whether an individual is included in the DBS Barred Lists before employing them or allowing them to volunteer. This is done by applying for an Enhanced DBS check with Barred Lists check. This check can only be requested by the employer, as individuals may not request an Enhanced check for themselves. For more information on Enhanced Checks, take a look at our page: Enhanced DBS Checks
Conclusion
In summary, the DBS Barred Lists are an important safeguarding measure used in the UK to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm or abuse that may be inflicted by unsuitable individuals. Employers and organisations that work with these groups are required to check whether an individual is included in the DBS Barred Lists before employing them or allowing them to volunteer.
A Bit About Us
If you’re looking to have some Enhanced DBS checks performed on your staff, or any other types of checks for that matter, consider using Aaron’s Department!
Without keeping you here all day, here’s a small selection of benefits to using our service:
- Built in tracking system of your DBS Advanced Checks
- A direct connection to the UK Government gateway
- Free-of-charge registration
- Professional and knowledgeable customer support
- An error-correcting system which corrects mistakes as you go.
- Eligibility guidance, both on our website and through customer support.
If that sounds like the sort of thing you’re after, then you can register with us for free using the button below, or book a demo. If you have any questions, ask away at contact@aaronsdepartment.com or call us on +44 113 877 0171. We’re always happy to help.