Guidance

DBS referral and barring decision-making process

The barring decision-making process at DBS, including information about barring appeals and reviews.

• From: Disclosure and Barring Service
• Published: 12 June 2015
• Last updated: 2 April 2026 — See all updates

Documents

DBS referrals guide: referral and decision-making process

HTML

DBS referral guide: reviews

HTML

Review Application Form

MS Word Document, 69.2 KB

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Details

Guidance about regulated activity with children has been published by the Department for Education (DfE).

Information about regulated activity with adults is available from the Department of Health (DH).

Published 12 June 2015

Last updated 2 April 2026 + show all updates

1. 2 April 2026

   Review Application Form - file attachment created

2. 25 October 2024

   Attachment DBS referrals guide: referral and decision-making process has had a line added to it in the 'no concerns' section, to clarify that "If the referred individual was under 18 at the time of the behaviour, then the case should be agreed by a senior officer and documented.”

3. 30 March 2022

   DBS referral guide: reviews updated.

4. 20 May 2016

   Added links to information about regulated activity with children and adults.

5. 12 June 2015

   First published.