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Guidance

Cross-border referrals and referrals from non-UK countries

Published 15 June 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cross-border-referrals-and-referrals-from-non-uk-countries/cross-border-referrals-and-referrals-from-non-uk-countries

1. Barring referrals between UK nations and ROI

In the UK, there are two organisations that bar individuals from carrying out certain work with children or vulnerable adults:

1.1 Disclosure and Barring Service

  • carries out barring functions for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • bars individuals from carrying out regulated activity with children and / or vulnerable adults

1.2 Disclosure Scotland

  • carries out barring functions for Scotland
  • bars individuals from carrying out regulated roles with children and / or vulnerable adults

If an individual is barred from carrying out regulated activity with children or adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, they will also be barred from working in a regulated role with children or adults in Scotland and vice versa.  

The barred list results from both jurisdictions will appear in an Enhanced with Barred List DBS check, an Enhanced with Barred List Access Northern Ireland (ANI) check and a Level 2 with Barred List Disclosure Scotland check.  On a DBS check, a Scottish bar will appear in the ‘Other relevant information’ section.

2. Which organisation should a barring referral be made to?

A barring referral should be made to the organisation that covers the area where any harm or relevant conduct took place, or is at risk of taking place. 

In relation to Scotland and the rest of the UK, it isn’t necessary to submit a referral to both DBS and Disclosure Scotland.  If the harm/relevant conduct took place in Scotland, the referral should be made to Disclosure Scotland. 

If the harm/relevant conduct took place in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the referral should be made to DBS.  If it is thought that the harm took place in both jurisdictions, the referral should be made to the organisation that covers the jurisdiction of where the referring party is based.  

3. Republic of Ireland and referrals to organisations in the UK

In relation to the border between the ROI and Northern Ireland (or the rest of the UK), where there is a risk that harm could take place in Northern Ireland, or any other UK jurisdiction, we strongly recommend that a referral is made by an ROI organisation to the DBS or Disclosure Scotland as appropriate. 

It doesn’t matter what nationality the individual or the referring party is .  DBS and Disclosure Scotland will consider any referral received in the same way as if it were a referral from within the UK.  Foreign nationals can be added to UK barred lists. 

If organisations in the UK have concerns about harms or relevant conduct taking place in the ROI, these should be referred to the Garda.

4. Referrals from any other non-UK territory

If any other non-UK organisations are aware of harm that has happened outside of the UK where there is a risk that the individual could work in the UK in future, they should also consider making a referral to either DBS or Disclosure Scotland as appropriate.

5. How to make referrals to DBS and Disclosure Scotland

Please see guidance in the following links on how to submit barring referrals:

To DBS :    

To Disclosure Scotland :

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