A v Disclosure and Barring Service: [2026] UKUT 175 (AAC)

Upper Tribunal Administrative Appeals Chamber decision by Judge Smith on 29 April 2026.

• From: HM Courts & Tribunals Service and Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
• Published: 29 May 2026

• Categories: Safeguarding vulnerable groups
• Sub-categories: Safeguarding vulnerable groups - Children’s barred list, Safeguarding vulnerable groups - Finding of fact, Safeguarding vulnerable groups - Materiality and Safeguarding vulnerable groups - Proportionality
• Judges: Smith, J
• Decision date: 29 April 2026

Read the full decision in UA-2024-000252-V.

Judicial Summary

This is an appeal against the decision of the Disclosure and Barring Service dated 31 January 2024 to include the Appellant’s name on the Children’s Barred List following a conviction in 2023 for an offence under s.9(1) Sexual Offences Act 2003.  The offence related to the Appellant engaging in sexual activity with a 15‑year‑old, former pupil, in 2005. The Upper Tribunal determined that the DBS did not err in fact in determining that Appellant posed a risk to children and did not err in law in assessing the proportionality of its barring decision.  The appeal was dismissed.

Published 29 May 2026