What is the barred list?

The DBS decides whether someone should be placed on one or both barred lists, usually after a referral from an employer or following certain criminal convictions. Once barred, it is a criminal offence for that person to seek or carry out regulated activity with the group they are barred from. It is also an offence for an organisation to knowingly employ a barred person in that activity.

Regulated activity with children broadly covers regular, unsupervised work such as teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children, along with some other specified roles. The exact definition is detailed, so check DBS eligibility guidance for your roles.

Employers also have a legal duty to refer someone to the DBS if they remove them from regulated activity, or would have done, because they harmed or posed a risk of harm to children or adults.

Why it matters for your setting

• Staff and volunteers in regulated activity with children should have an enhanced DBS check that includes the children’s barred list.
• In England, KCSIE says the barred list check must be completed before someone starts in regulated activity.
• Knowing your duty to refer is part of handling allegations against staff properly.

How PupilDB helps

PupilDB stores DBS numbers and dates on each staff record, alongside references and safeguarding certificates, so you can see that checks are in place.