Guidance

Quality Assurance Framework, version 10 (QAF v10)

Version 10 of the quality assurance framework (QAF) came into force on 1st April 2026.

From:
Disclosure and Barring Service
Published
9 February 2026
Last updated
8 April 2026 — See all updates

Documents

AT1 v10 Search Rationale Template

MS Word Document, 50.1 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT2 (QAF V10)

MS Word Document, 48.6 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT2 and 3 (QAF V10)

MS Word Document, 81.6 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT3 (QAF V10)

MS Word Document, 80.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

AT12 QAF v 10 Dispute Form

MS Word Document, 40 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP1a and b v10 QAF Process Map

PDF, 274 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP2 v10 Identification

PDF, 137 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP3 QAF v10 Local Information Hit Relevance

PDF, 250 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP4 v10 Third Party Relevant Access

PDF, 204 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP5 QAF v 10 All Filtering Flowcharts

PDF, 491 KB, 10 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP6 QAF v10 PNC Hit Relevance

PDF, 285 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MP7a and MP7b QAF v10 Disclosure Rationale and Method

PDF, 228 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD1 QAF v10 Close Matching Guidance

MS Word Document, 37.7 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD2 v10 Disclosure Text Guidance (QAF V10)

MS Word Document, 69.8 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD3 QAF v10 Mental Health and Disclosure

MS Word Document, 44.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD4 QAF v10 Representations Guidance

MS Word Document, 42.8 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD5 QAF v10 MP3 MP6 Guidance

MS Word Document, 45.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD6 v10 Chief Officer (Delegate) Guidance

MS Word Document, 59 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD7 QAF v10 AT12 Guidance

MS Word Document, 46.4 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD8 QAF v10 Youth Produced Sexual Imagery

MS Word Document, 45.5 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD9 QAF v10 AT3 Section 3 guidance

MS Word Document, 39.5 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD12 QAF V10 MP7A & b guidance

MS Word Document, 55.8 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD13 QAF v10 MP4 guidance

MS Word Document, 33.1 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD14 collaboration guidance

MS Word Document, 74.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GD15 AT1 v10 Guidance and Example

MS Word Document, 51.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

QA1 - Quality Assurance Regime (QAR v10)

MS Word Document, 64.5 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

OV1 Overview of the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF v10)

MS Word Document, 1.5 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations letter template

MS Word Document, 36.8 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations - Pseudo letter template

MS Word Document, 36.3 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations- Reminder letter template

MS Word Document, 31.1 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations- Applicant Guidance

MS Word Document, 43.2 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Representations- Update Service Applicant Guidance

MS Word Document, 42.2 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Version 10 of the Quality Assurance Framework came into force on the 1st April 2026.

It builds on the guidance given in version 9 and incorporates all operational updates to version 9. QAF version 10 is the reflective of current case law and the Statutory Guidance

Updates to this page

Published 9 February 2026
Last updated 8 April 2026 show all updates

  1. Representations- Applicant Guidance - file attachment created Representations- Update Service Applicant Guidance - file attachment created

  2. The following files have been uploaded: QAF v 10 AT12 Dispute Form QAF v10 MP7a and MP7b Disclosure Rationale and Method QAF v10 GD7 AT12 Guidance QAF V10 GD12 MP7A & b guidance Representations letter template Representations - Pseudo letter template Representations- Reminder letter template

  3. QAF v10 MP6 PNC Hit Relevance - file attachment created

  4. QAF v10 GD1 Close Matching Guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 GD4 Representations Guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 GD5 MP3 MP6 Guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 AT3 Section 3 guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 GD13 MP4 guidance - file attachment created

  5. QAF v 10 MP5 All Filtering Flowcharts - file attachment created QAF v10 GD8 Youth Produced Sexual Imagery - file attachment created GD14 collaboration guidance - file attachment created QAF v10 Mental Health and Disclosure - file attachment created QAF v10 MP3 Local Information Hit Relevance - file attachment created

  6. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page