Eligibility for roles working with Adults
Published 1 September 2026
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1. Introduction
This guidance helps you determine if the position you’re recruiting for is eligible for an Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List DBS Check in the adult’s workforce.
DBS defines an adult as anyone aged 18 or over. Organisations should also consider if the role involves working with children. For more details, consult the DBS guidance on eligibility for those working with children.
If a role works with both children and adults, organisations will need to assess eligibility across both workforces to submit an appropriate DBS application.
Important: The relevant workforce(s) must be entered in the position applied for field of the application, along with the job role.
If an organisation applies for a level of DBS check that a role is not eligible for, or requests information that they are not legally allowed to ask for, they will potentially be viewing information they have no legal right to see and therefore would be in breach of data protection legislation.
2. Regulated Activity
Regulated activity is work that a barred person must not do. It is defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (SVGA) which has been amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA). It excludes any activity carried out in the course of family relationships, and personal, non-commercial relationships. An adult is any person aged 18 years or over.
3. Regulated Activity Providers (RAP)
When you request a DBS check to assess someone for regulated activity with adults, you become a regulated activity provider (RAP). This role comes with responsibilities under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
As a RAP, you have a legal duty to refer an individual to DBS if you believe they have caused harm or pose a future risk of harm to vulnerable groups, including children. You must also provide information to the DBS when requested, and you may be fined if you fail to do so without a reasonable excuse. For further details, please refer to DBS’ referrals guidance.
It is illegal for an organisation to knowingly employ someone in a regulated activity with a group from which they are barred. Similarly, a barred person is breaking the law if they seek, offer, or engage in regulated activity with a group from which they are barred.
4. What level of check is the role eligible for?
We recommend you first consider whether the role qualifies for an Enhanced with Barred List DBS check. The following guidance will help you determine this:
If the role is not eligible for an Enhanced with Barred List DBS check, consider whether it is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check:
If the role is not eligible for an Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List DBS check, consider whether it qualifies for a Standard DBS check.
If the role does not work with specifically with adults or children please follow this guidance
If the criteria are not met for a Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List DBS check, the role can obtain a Basic DBS check.