Guidance

DBS online barring referral service guidance

Updated 23 April 2026

1. Using the Barring Referral Service

This page contains guidance about using the online Barring Referral Service.

You can find out about the supporting documents you’ll need to provide in how to make a good quality barring referral.

1.1 Preparing to submit a referral

• there will be guidance on each page to help you through the referral process
• have all your documentation (for example, statements, reports, meeting minutes and other evidence) ready before you begin
• allow approximately an hour to complete the referral
• the service includes a ‘save and return’ function, so you can start your referral, save your progress, and return to it later if you need to
• you can save your referral at any point except when uploading documents
• you can upload up to 35 files per referral as supporting documents
• the service is available Monday to Sunday, 8am to 11:30pm
• once you have submitted the referral, you can download or print a copy for your records

1.2 Accessing the service

You can access the Barring Referral Service, via the link below.

Start your referral here.

2. Completing your referral

2.1 Select your referrer type

The first question asks: “What type of referrer are you?”

This is an important first step. Read the guidance carefully and select the correct option as you cannot change this once selected. Your selection creates the step-by-step pathway for completing the referral and ensures DBS receives the appropriate information to support the barring decision process.

2.2 Complete the required sections

Once you have selected your referrer type, you will see a list of sections to complete.

Your details

Input your details as the referrer. You can also add an additional contact from your organisation. Whilst this is optional, it is strongly advised as it will help DBS progress the referral if they are unable to contact you.

Referred person’s details

Follow through a series of questions including name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and nationality. You can indicate if any information is not known.

Referred person’s employment details

This includes job title, whether they worked with children or adults, professional registration, and dates of employment.

Reason for referral

You will need to answer 2 questions:

Question 1: Tell us why this referral is being made

Explain what happened. Provide specific information about the alleged behaviour or incidents leading up to this referral. Include who was involved, where it happened and the date it occurred. You have 2000 characters for this.

Question 2:  List any actions taken

You can add up to 10 actions taken after the alleged behaviour or incidents happened. This could include things like an internal investigation, a disciplinary meeting or any other action you think needs to be provided to DBS.

You’ll need the date of the action. Tell us details about what happened, who was involved and the outcome. You have 1000 characters for each action.

2.3 Harmed person’s details

Select from 4 options. Once selected, this cannot be changed as it defines the questions relating to either individuals or a group. In the last question of this section, you can add details of another person harmed if there is more than one.

2.4 Linking referrals

Each question requires a yes or no answer. One question asks: “Are you going to refer, or have you referred anyone else that was involved in the same incident?”

This is your opportunity to link referrals. You will still need to refer each person separately.

2.5 Other organisations

Provide contact details of other organisations involved, including names, telephone numbers and email addresses.

2.6 Upload evidence documents

You must provide as much relevant evidence (for example, statements, reports or meeting minutes) as you can when submitting a referral. Ensure any documents you upload are clear, readable, and not password protected. You can upload up to 35 files, each up to 10MB.

2.7 Review and submit

You need to complete all sections before you can review and submit your referral. You can then download and print a copy of the referral for your records.

3. After you submit

You will be given a unique reference number. Keep this safe. If you need to contact DBS or submit additional information, you will need to use this reference number.

4. Get help

If you need help with your referral contact customer services:

Telephone: 03000 200 190

Welsh language: 03000 200 191

Relay UK: If you have difficulty with your speech or hearing, dial 18001 then 03000 200 192

SignLive: If you are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use SignLive to connect to DBS via an Interpreter.

International: +44 (0)151 676 9390

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except public holidays).

Find out about call charges.

For further advice and information about using the Barring Referral Service, contact: dbsregionaloutreach@dbs.gov.uk