What Are Barred Lists? Everything You Need To Know

DBS barred lists are maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). These lists aim to help organisations recruit safely and protect those they may be working with. There are two main types of DBS barred lists. One includes a list of people who have been banned from working with children, and the other is a list of people who have been banned from working with vulnerable adults.

Essentially, DBS barred lists helps prevent individuals from working in jobs they are not permitted to work in to help maintain the safety of children and vulnerable adults. In this blog, we will outline how DBS Barred Lists work, what is meant by ‘list 99’ and the roles which require a check of the DBS Barred Lists.

How Do DBS Barred Lists Work?

The DBS Barred Lists help employers to make safer recruitment decisions. When requested, an employer may ask for an enhanced DBS certificate – but only if the applicant is eligible. This will include a check of the DBS barred lists. Employers may want to carry out an Enhanced DBS & Barred List Check (child and/or adult) if you are working in roles which require individuals to engage in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.

Why Are People Added to the Barred List?

A person is generally added to the barred list following an investigation by the DBS, in which offences and other evidence is assessed. This process is used to determine whether that individual is a potential risk to a child or vulnerable adult.

Before a decision is made, the person in question is able to review the evidence and present a case explaining their position.

Enhanced DBS Checks

Although anyone is eligible for a basic DBS check, only a select few are eligible for an enhanced DBS check. Some examples of job roles that require an enhanced DBS Check include:

• Teaching, training, instructing, caring and supervising
• Working within establishments that have contact with schools or children’s homes
• Healthcare for children
• Childminding and foster care
• Healthcare for vulnerable adults
• Social work
• Assisting with money and bills due to illness, age or disability
• Transport due to illness, age or disability

Can I work before an enhanced DBS check has gone through?

Generally, individuals will not be able to start their jobs until their disclosure has been received back and accepted. However, in rare cases, an employee may start before their enhanced DBS has been received after following a risk assessment. In cases such as these, the individual will have to be under full supervision and safeguarded at all times until the clearance is received. On occasion, an employer may request an Adult’s first check, formerly known as a POVA or ISA (For people working with adults), or a List 99 (for people working with children) at the start of the application process. The result of this check will enable the applicant to work supervised pending the full DBS check being completed. These checks are requested at the discretion of the employer and it is generally down to their own policy if they will allow an applicant to work supervised on these prior to the full check being completed. You can only request an Adult First Check as part of a full DBS request, but an employer can request a List 99 check at any time. Care Check receive 85% of Enhanced DBS Checks back within 5 days, 65% within 24 hours generally enabling an applicant to start their role quickly. In a lot of cases the Adult First or List 99 is not required.